Drybrook Rugby Club

Drybrook 1st XV
Drybrook 7pts
Camborne 20pts

A converted try in injury time denied Drybrook a losing bonus point in this disappointing showing against the league leaders.
On a bitterly cold afternoon Camborne looked out of sorts in the opening quarter as they tried to shake off the effects of the long journey.
Drybrook were guilty of trying to force play and made a number of handling errors as well as conceding a lot of penalties and it was the Cornishmen who went ahead with a penalty after 10 minutes.
Drybrook then gradually took control but were met by a strong defensive effort from the visitors.
Eventually Drybrook broke through and what a try it was. Winger Cameron Roberts received the ball from a pre-set backs move on half way and then stepped past defender after defender on his way to a spectacular score under the posts.
Jack Coombs converted but Drybrook were unable to capitalize even when the visitors lost a man to the bin for a deliberate knock on.

Half Time:
Drybrook 7pts
Camborne 3pts

Camborne had the biting wind at their backs in the second half but both teams were intent on attack in the opening exchanges.
Gradually though the visitor’s pack began to get on top and they went ahead on 18 minutes from a catch and drive try in the corner.
It was at the set piece that Drybrook had the most trouble with No 8 Mitch Bourne doing particularly well to pick up from a retreating scrum.
Drybrook tried everything they could to get back in front but did not have the controlled possession of Camborne and struggled to make an impression.
With 10 minutes to go Camborne extended their lead with a penalty for not releasing but it was still anybody’s game.
With time ticking away Camborne were content to try and run down the clock but in injury time they were awarded a penalty which they kicked to the corner.
There was an air of inevitability about the resulting catch and drive try that sealed the points for Camborne and took away Drybrook’s chance of a losing bonus point.

Drybrook; Mitch Baldwin, Sam Peaper, Kristian Taft, Cameron Roberts, Ben Large (capt), Jack Coombs, Dean Large, Luke Fisher, Alex Gibson, Will Greenway, Neil Morgan, Chris Barry, Joe Tingle Mitch Bourne,
Replacements; Tim Howarth, Dean Jelf, Chris Rawlings.

Drybrook United
Drybrook United 19pts
Lydney United 12pts

Lydney arrived at the Mannings with only 13 men so Drybrook loaned them 2 substitutes so the game could go ahead.
Unfortunately the scrums had to be uncontested as well and Lydney surprised the home side by scoring an early try.
Winger Luke Roberts then got Drybrook back in it when he latched onto a good backs move to touch down for a try.
Drybrook were pressing hard for a second try when an interception led to the visitors going the length of the field for a try under the sticks.

Half Time:
Drybrook United 5pts
Lydney United 12pts

In the second half Drybrook showed better teamwork and gradually wore Lydney down.
Joe James got Drybrook’s second try from a series of pick and goes and skipper Andy Milner leveled the scores with conversion.
The winning score came following a break from Jon Pritchard who found Max Watkins in support to race in for a try.
Milner converted to seal Drybrook’s victory in which backs Nick Lewis and Rhys Evans caused Lydney a few problems with their strong running.

Drybrook United XV; Rhys Evans, Luke Roberts, Nick Lewis, Gareth Holdsworth, Max Watkins, Andy Milner (capt), Kieran Auker-Howlett, Hugh Rimmer, Connor Auker-Howlett, Tony Suter, Joe James, Alex Smailes, Jim Rugman. Mitch Browning, Ashley Jennings.
Replacement; Dan Lewis, Jon Pritchard, Matt Freeman,

Drybrook Extras
Ledbury 3rds 22pt
Drybrook Extras 31pts

Drybrook 3rds travelled to Ledbury to play a long awaited friendly. Ledbury had all three sides at home and were keen to show Drybrook their club’s strength throughout. However Drybrook were looking to get back to winning ways after the recent defeat against Newent 2nds.
Drybrook won the toss and chose to play into the wind away from the club house. The first 15 minutes showed that both sides were going to have to work very hard indeed if they were going to bag a win.
Then the first score came from the home side with great hands and a 30 metre dash for the line to score under the posts with the conversion making the score 7pts – nil to Ledbury.
Drybrook worked hard to gain possession but unfortunately were under extreme pressure in the scrums. In the 25th minute Ledbury crossed the line again this time the referee called a five metre scrum for being held up. Great defence from back row Chris Tingle, Simon Ballinger and Mitch Hale managed to keep Ledbury from scoring and turned over the ball for Jimmy Ryder to clear the line. On the 35th minute of the first half a break by Jack Davies led to a score under the posts with Adam Harris converting to bring the scores level. Just 3 minutes later Ledbury crossed the white wash with what looked like a knock on but a try was awarded.
With last play of the first half Ledbury were awarded a penalty for a high tackle, a quick tap and go saw them scoring another try.

Drybrook kicked of the second half with Mitch Hale scoring his first try of the game only 3 minutes in. Drybrook began to play with more cohesion and subjected the home side to phase after phase of well controlled rugby.
Keeping the ball in hand and recycling well, Drybrook were in the ascendancy, and 10 minutes in Hale touched down again, this time with Billy Bowdler adding the conversion to give Drybrook the lead for the first time.
Some hard rugby from both sides and with both teams taking knocks it wasn’t till the 30th minute of the second half before the next score was awarded ,once again to Mitch Hale, with a strong carry for his hat trick.
Jack Davies ran in his second try of the match to give Drybrook a 14 point lead with only 5 minutes left on the clock and Bowdler banged over his 3rd conversion.
Ledbury with a great attack then had the visitors under pressure and managed to score one final try but it was not enough to overcome Drybrook’s haul.
Due to Ledbury’s extremely busy club no man of the match was awarded but a special mention must go to the stand out performances from Jack Davies, Mitch Hale and Chris Tingle.

Drybrook Extras XV; Neil Rickkets, Iain Murphy, Craig Lancett, James Smith (capt), Steve Turley, Chris Tingle, Simon Ballinger, Mitch Hale, James Colwell, Jimmy Ryder, Jack Davies, Will Bailey, Adam Harris Quinten Partridge, Jason Roberts.
Replacements; Billy Bowdler, James Meek, Clive Boughton, Jake Bourne, Connor Parry.