Chard 31ptsDrybrook 28pts
Drybrook could and should have won this game at Chard but they failed to close out the game in the dying minutes allowing the home side to bundle over for the winning try in the corner.
Drybrook created lots of opportunities in the game with fullback Tom Treherne making the most of it by kicking 7 penalties. Chard were content to concede penalties when they had to and should have been dealt with more severely by the referee who did nothing to prevent the persistent infringing.
Drybrook’s first points came from a penalty after 8 minutes when they drove a maul 30 metres before it was illegally halted and Treherne put them in front.
A few minutes later an identical piece of action led to Treherne increasing Drybrook’s lead to 6pts – nil.
The visitors were then called on to ride out a good spell of home pressure but a high tackle led to a Chard penalty which they duly converted.
With 23 minutes gone Chard failed to find touch with a penalty kick and Drybrook’s Sam Peaper ran out of defence before linking up with Jamie Cook. The big centre made an excellent break and was brought down just short of the line but quick recycling led to fellow centre Kristian Taft crossing for a try.
Treherne converted but Drybrook gave a silly penalty away from the restart allowing the home side an easy 3 points.
Drybrook hit back and another opportunity was missed when a bulldozing run from prop Mitch Hale resulted in a knock on close to the home line.
More Drybrook pressure led to Treherne’s 3rd successful penalty which was just reward for a good first half showing from the visitors but right at the end of the half Chard managed to grab a try.
A penalty kick to the corner led to a catch and drive which Drybrook failed to deal with and an excellent conversion brought the home side right back into it.
Half Time:
Chard 13pts
Drybrook 16pts
Drybrook were quickly on the rampage at the start of the second half and it was not long before Treherne added another penalty.
10 minutes in Chard narrowed the gap when Drybrook were penalised for wheeling a scrum and from the restart the home side grabbed an unlikely lead. Drybrook failed to deal with a high clearance kick and the bouncing ball fell kindly for the Chard winger who raced in from half way.
It was not long before Drybrook regained the lead when Treherne put over another penalty after 20 minutes and this was quickly followed by yet another kick as Chard struggled to contain the visitors.
It was Chard’s turn to kick a penalty next to bring the score to 25pts – 24pts with 10 minutes to go.
Drybrook responded really positively and should have scored a try when the home defence was left in tatters but hooker Luke Fisher chose to go it alone despite men in the clear outside him and was duly halted. The referee was playing advantage at this time and called Drybrook back for a penalty in front of the home sticks which was a formality for Treherne.
With only a few minutes remaining Drybrook had the chance to close the game out but failed to clear their lines by trying to run out of defence. They eventually conceded a penalty which the home side kicked to the corner before driving over for the winning try from the resulting line out.
It was harsh on Drybrook and with only 2 minutes remaining they threw everything into attack but were denied when they panicked themselves into making mistakes as they looked for the winning score.
For Drybrook Tom Treherne gave an immaculate kicking display to help himself to 23 points with Mitch Renton and Mitch Hale prominent in a number of forward surges.
Out behind centre Jamie Cook deservedly took the man of the match accolade for a fine game both in defence and attack.
Drybrook; Tom Treherne, Sam Peaper, Kristian Taft, Jamie Cook, Joe Watts, Ben Large (Capt), Mitch Baldwin, Mitch Hale, Luke Fisher, Dean Jelf, Glen Nott, Neil Morgan, Mitch Bourne, Danny Price, Mitch Renton.
Replacements; Chris Rawlings, Tony Suter, Andy Milner.
