Newent 12ptsDrybrook 12pts
Combination Cup Result AET
Newent 25pts
Drybrook 19pts
Match report courtesy Newent RFC
This local derby had enough drama to last a season after two well-matched sides ripped into each other for 100 minutes.
The game doubled up as a South West One (West) fixture and a Forest of Dean Combination Senior Cup tie with the outcomes of both in doubt until the final play.
The league game ended in a 12-12 draw, forcing ten minutes each way of extra time to decide the cup tie.
Drybrook had the better of the first half, as their pack took a grip on proceedings at the set piece, especially at the breakdown.
Drybrook took advantage, with full-back Tom Treherne kicking three out of four, whereas Newent’s Ross Webb was off target with both his opportunities.
Newent twice held up Drybrook ball carriers over the line to keep the half-time deficit to 9-0.
Drybrook started the second half the way they finished the first – hammering Newent’s line, but an interception by number eight Dan Fletcher lifted the siege.
Newent’s James Dean took two quick tap-and-go penalties, awarded against Drybrook at the breakdown, which launched the scrum-half within inches of the whitewash.
The ball was spun out to Dominic Matthews, whose quick feet allowed him to finish well in the left-hand corner.
Webb made amends for his earlier misses by converting from the touchline to bring the score to 9-7.
Drybrook responded with more intense pressure, which again was well defended.
The hosts seemed to have cleared the danger when they won a penalty at a scrum, but failed to secure their lineout, as too often during the game, then conceded another penalty at the breakdown giving Treherne a chance from the tee, which he duly accepted to make it 12-7.
Newent roused themselves for a grandstand finish, with the game entering the final five minutes.
Showing the composure which was lacking earlier, they went through numerous phases and kept the ball alive before finally stretching Drybrook’s defence to breaking point after a long pass found Will Mansfield in space and the outside centre crashed over wide right, leaving Webb a chance to win the game.
But Newent’s skipper’s attempt pulled wide, leaving the local rivals to share the spoils from the league fixture but faced extra-time to decide who progressed in the cup.
Drybrook number eight Mitch Bourne was halted just short by a desperate cover tackle.
Newent cleared to touch, but from the lineout, Drybrook’s maul took play back to the danger zone.
More brave defence kept the visitors at bay before Dean intercepted tight to touchline and sprinted clear towards his 10-metre line.
Support arrived in numbers and quick ball was moved wide by Tom Webb and Lee Warren into Joe Goatley’s hands, charging up from full-back.
He sprinted home from Drybrook’s 10-metre line and Goatley added the conversion to draw to end a breathless first period of extra-time.
There was no let-up during the second period with Drybrook knocking on from the restart, allowing Tom Webb to take play deep into their 22 and force the scrambling defence to concede a ruck penalty.
Joe Goatley slotted the kick to put Newent 22-12 ahead.
Back came Drybrook and another Newent ruck infringement gave them the chance to kick for touch into the 22.
There was no holding the well-oiled maul and their pack drove over en masse for a Mitch Renton try which Treherne converted for 22-19.
Newent attacked from the restart and went through the phases to set up Joe Goatley for a well-executed drop goal.
Brett Gardner made a superb try-saving tackle in the right corner, but Drybrook kept the ball alive and were pressing hard under the posts when a knock-on ended the final play of a dramatic derby.
Drybrook 1st XV; Tom Treherne, Sam Peaper, Jamie Cook, Kristian Taft, Mitch Baldwin, Ben Large (Capt), Jack Combes, Alex Gibson, Ashley Howells, Mitch Renton, Will Greenway, Neil Morgan, Dan Price, Joe Tingle, Mitch Bourne.
Replacements; Dean Large, Glenn Nott, Oliver Gray
Drybrook Extras 58pt