Widden Old Boys U17s 19
The Gloucester side found the Mannings lashed by rain and Drybrook in a generous mood, their lack of discipline gifting points by bringing several penalties within the kicking range of Widdens’ useful No 10.
The first half was dour and niggly, punctuated only by the visitors’ first penalty and a try by Alex Iles, created from nothing when the Drybrook centre cut around from midfield to weave his way down the packed blindside to the line. Unfortunately the scrums were uncontested as Widden didn’t have a viable front row, which reduced the spectacle somewhat.
The second period saw Drybrooks’ penalty count rise: Widden drew ahead again until lock Ben Howells burst through and touched down between the posts; Rhys Chandler converted to make it 12-6.
Drybrook were attacking hard but an unlucky interception saw Widden race 40m to regain the lead. Penalties were exchanged, with Harry Howard drop-kicking Drybrooks’, until yet more ill discipline saw Widden extend their advantage to 15-19.
Brandon Jacobs, Will Greenway and Joe Lewis were leading Drybrooks’ fight-back although the play was moving from end to end: every time they forced their way into the Widden 22 another penalty saw Drybrook pinned back again.
But the Foresters kept up the pressure and eventually the irrepressible Ben Howells bulldozed over from 20m out for his brace. The powerful Drybrook lock is the U17s’ leading try-scorer with 8 tries in 11 games.
The final play of the game saw the Widden fly half given one last chance to kick for glory, but the vile conditions and substantial distance saw the ball bounce off the upright, through the posts but under the bar, to let Drybrook off the hook.
Drybrook squad: Kieran Auker-Howlett, Richard Bowkett, Rhys Chandler, George Cinderey, Will Greenway, Blaine Harris, Harry Howard, Ben Howells, Alex Iles, Brandon Jacobs, Jason Jones, Joe Lewis, Huw Rimmer, Luke Roberts, Andy Smith, Jordan Taylor and Ashley Wallace.
