Drybrook Rugby Club

Broad Plain 2nds 10pts
Drybrook Extras 12pts

The 3rds headed down to Bristol for a friendly with Broad Plain 2nds, the first time the two clubs had met at any level.

Unsure what to expect both teams were eager to get the game underway especially after a pitch inspection was needed before the start. The referee decided it was to be uncontested scrums if the game was to go ahead and the match started with Drybrook playing towards the clubhouse.
With only 3 minutes on the clock Broad Plain had crossed the line for the first score of the match by playing hard running rugby from the offset.
Drybrook knew they had to work hard if they were to compete with such confident opponents and after a little sole searching they dug in and turned the game around.
Ten minutes in a ball fell dead and quick thinking from Gareth Holdsworth led to a chip and chase, some great footwork and a superb off load to Will Bailey that brought Drybrook level.

Despite the poor conditions both teams coped surprisingly well but it was another 10 minutes until the next score.
Finally a Broad Plain intercept and offload led to a try being run in from 30 metres to recapture the lead.
From the restart Drybrook applied pressure once again and managed to pin the home side deep in their own territory.
Drybrook’s Jimmy Ryder made a lovely break before off loading just short of the line to Gareth Holdsworth who touched down to the left hand side of the sticks.
Adam Harris converted to give Drybrook the lead which they carried in to half time.

Half Time:
Broad Plain 2nds 10pts
Drybrook Extras 12pts

The rain lashed down in the second half but both teams gave it their all in dreadful conditions.
It was becoming difficult to play any constructive rugby and eventually the referee felt enough was enough and called an end to the game mid-way through the second half

Drybrook Extras; 1 Anthony Suter, 2 James Smith (capt), 3 Craig Lancett, 4 Simon Ballinger, 5 Mitch Williams, 6 Matthew Freeman , 7 Connor Parry, 8 Alex Smailes, 9 James Colwell, 10 Jimmy Ryder, 11 Adam Harris, 12 Jack Davies, 13 Connor Hale, 14 Will Bailey, 15 Gareth Holdsworth.
Replacements; Nigel Kear , Ian Rawlings, Sam Grant, Jake Bourne, Neil Rickkets