Drybrook 37pts
Chew Valley 10pts
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Drybrook virtually wrapped up the league title and promotion with this excellent victory over second placed Chew Valley. Mathematically Matson are still in contention going into the last game but it would take an epic points difference swing of 100pts to take the title from Drybrook’s grasp.
The first half was a tense affair with Chew Valley in control for a long period and after 20 minutes a flare up resulted in a player from each side being yellow carded.
A few minutes later Drybrook snatched the lead when they seized on a loose ball on half way. The ball went through several pairs of hand before a clever off load from Mitch Bourne released winger Mitch Baldwin who raced over in the corner.
Ollie Clements converted but it did not take Chew Valley long to hit back.
From the restart they won a penalty in front of the Drybrook posts but elected to take a scrum which resulted in a try being scored which brought the scores level.
Chew continued to have the better of things, but right at the end of the half, Drybrook broke down field and almost grabbed a try. The Chew Valley hooker was yellow carded for hands in the ruck and Clements made no mistake with the kick in front of the posts.
Half Time:
Drybrook 10pts
Chew Valley 7pts
The second half got underway with Chew just missing out with a long range penalty.
The momentum then swung Drybrook’s way as they upped the tempo and began to ask a lot of questions of the Chew defence.
A high tackle on Clements handed the outside half a penalty which he duly drilled over but the visitors hit back on 20 minutes with a penalty in front of the posts.
It was at this stage that Drybrook hit top form when a long period of pressure resulted in hooker Ashley Howells being driven over from close range.
Almost immediately Drybrook scored again when replacement Harry Gooderham seared through a gap after a well rehearsed move to touch down mid way out.
The Chew Valley heads started to drop as they could sense the game moving away from them and Drybrook quickly added the bonus point try.
Fittingly it was skipper Simon Rugman who grabbed the try following a break from Clements who duly added the extras.
There was just enough time for Drybrook to add another try and following immense pressure scrum half Tom Treherne took the final pass to score out wide and Clements converted to complete the scoring.
This was a great performance from Drybrook who were well served by a number of players but man of the match award went to No 8 Mitch Renton.
Drybrook 1st XV; Kristian Taft, Sam Peaper, Ben Large, Simon Rugman (capt), Mitch Baldwin, Ollie Clements, Tom Treherne, Jun Sing Lee, Ashley Howells, Tom Reed, Neil Morgan, Glenn Nott, Mitch Bourne, Dan Price, Mitch Renton.
Replacements; Nick Ovens, Marcus Cowles, Harry Gooderham.