Drybrook 20ptsAvonmouth Old Boys 19pts
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Drybrook squeezed home against visiting Avonmouth who staged a strong comeback in the latter stages to almost sneak the result.
Drybrook were in control for long periods of the first half and should have had more to show than their 8pts – nil interval lead.
Once play had settled down Drybrook found themselves in the ascendency but it took them until 20 minutes had gone before they opened their account.
A lot of pressure and some good ball retention eventually led to a penalty in front of the posts which off stand Alun Richards easily despatched.
A few minutes later Drybrook grabbed their first try when a charge down in mid field led to Luke Fisher making plenty of ground before finding support all around him. The move was halted close to the visitor’s line but quick recycling led to second row Neil Morgan bundling over for the try.
Drybrook continued to press the visitors and scrum half Mitch Baldwin was just unable to get his pass away with three men lined up outside him on the overlap.
Avonmouth just about held on and came close to scoring themselves when they were bundled into touch on the stroke of half time.
Half Time:
Drybrook 8pts
Avonmouth Old Boys nil
Drybrook extended their lead 15 minutes into the second half when busy flanker Danny Price found himself with his hands on the ball near half way. He was able to make a telling break before rounding the cover for a fine try.
This score finally stirred Avonmouth into action and they spent an impressive amount of time battering the Drybrook defence. A score seemed inevitable and it finally came with some poor defending at the corner.
Drybrook hit straight back when a delightful break from Richards created the space for prop Craig Clarke and Price to combine before putting centre Jamie Cook over for a try mid way out. Richards easily converted.
It looked fairly comfortable for Drybrook at this stage and a bonus point try was a distinct possibility but unfortunately their game fell apart as the visitors grew in confidence.
With 10 minutes remaining sustained pressure finally told when the visitor’s prop went over for a try from close range.
Drybrook tried to rally but could not raise their game and found themselves playing second fiddle to the visitors who sensed an unlikely victory.
With 5 minutes remaining Avonmouth scored a simple try down the short side of a line out and a great conversion brought them to within one point of the home team.
It was a nervous last few minutes for Drybrook but they did enough to hold out for victory.
Drybrook; Tom Treherne, Kristian Taft, Ben Large (Capt), Jamie Cook, Sam Peaper, Alun Richards, Mitch Baldwin, Dean Jelf, Luke Fisher, Craig Clarke, Neil Morgan, Glenn Nott, Danny Price,Niall Gibbons, Mitch Bourne.
Replacements; Elliot White, Chris Rawlings, Ashley Howells.
