Drybrook 22pts
Matson 19pts
Drybrook just got over the finishing line against a resurgent Matson who put last week’s humiliating defeat behind them to make this a real contest.
At one stage Drybrook looked to be cruising to a comfortable victory but Matson hit back strongly and it was Drybrook who were hanging on at the end.
The first half was very tight and Drybrook almost got a try when Mitch Baldwin broke clear to touch down under the posts only to be called back for a crossing offence in the build up. Tom Treherne then put Drybrook into the lead with a penalty after 10 minutes but Matson hit back to take the lead with a well worked try. Drybrook made a mess of their own line out throw and the men in black seized the opportunity to suck in the defence to score a try on the overlap.
During the remainder of the first half Matson seemed to want it more and Drybrook were second best for a period but eventually got back into it.
An injury to prop Elliot Beattie held the game up for a while but once the game got under way again Drybrook scored a very good try. Several attacking phases drew in the Matson cover and Glen Nott put winger Rhys Gardner over on the overlap.
A magnificent conversion from Treherne gave Drybrook a slender advantage at the break.
Half Time:
Drybrook 10pts
Matson 7pts
Drybrook started the second half well and increased their lead when scrum half Ben George took a quick tap penalty before putting the supporting Sam Peaper over for a try and Treherne added the extras.
At this stage Matson started to loose their shape and discipline and Drybrook went further ahead when Mitch Baldwin showed great determination to beat several defenders before being held up just short of the line. The ball was quickly recycled and Gardner squeezed over in the corner.
At this stage Drybrook were seemingly in control and heading for a comfortable victory but the game then turned on its head and Matson began to take control.
Matson brought an intensity into their game that Drybrook found difficult to deal with and after 25 minutes a long spell of pressure brought a well deserved try.
Minutes later Drybrook’s Mitch Baldwin tried to run out of defence but was left isolated and conceded a penalty. Matson caught Drybrook out by taking it quickly to score a converted try and suddenly it was anyone’s game.
There were some worrying moments for Drybrook including having to deal with a couple of driven line outs in the corner but they held on to claim victory.
Drybrook 1st XV: Tom Treherne, Joe Magretts, Kristian Taft, Mitch Baldwin, Rhys Gardner, Ben Large(Capt), Ben George, Elliot Beattie, Alex Wolfe, Nigel Ncube, Glenn Nott, Will Greenway, Sam Peaper, Danny Price, Mitch Bourne.
Replacements: Huw Rimmer, Mitch Renton, Harry Howard.
Luctonians 2nds 22pts
Drybrook United 7pts
Drybrook United made the pleasant trip into rural Herefordshire for this competitive friendly fixture with Luctonians 2nds.
Drybrook showed several changes to the side that ran league leaders Bournemouth close the previous week and handed debuts to hard working flanker Reece Lane & powerful ball carrying number 8 Aiden Burnett. There was also an appearance for the 1st time this season for prop forward Dean Large.
Drybrook made the early inroads in to the Luctonians half only to lose possession with some timely turnovers.
The home side were first on the score sheet when the ball was moved out wide with 2 offloads in the tackle to allow a score under the posts with the conversion easily knocked over.
After 20 minutes Drybrook lost influential hooker Dean Jelf with a knee injury which somewhat upset their rhythm for a while and 10 minutes later Lucts won a penalty following an infringement which they kicked to Drybrook’s 5 metre line. The driving maul was set & the Lucts number 8 was able to spot a gap down the blindside for a try.
Half time:
Luctonians 2nds 12pts
Drybrook United nil
The second half was an entertaining affair with both sides looking to move the ball at every opportunity.
Lucts got their 3rd try of the game, again some good offloads out of the tackle creating space for the score in the corner.
Drybrook to their credit didn’t fold in & should have scored at least 2 tries. Scrum half Gareth Holdsworth made a fantastic break; his over the head offload to centre Luke Roberts went to ground with the line begging.
A few minutes later prop Dean Large made a break with some outrageous dummies and with only one man to beat and 3 metres to the try line all that was required was a simple pass, but unfortunately the referee adjudged his effort forward.
To rub salt in the wound, Luctonians then scored a try following some woeful defence.
Drybrook threw everything into attack for the final few minutes and Mitch Hale managed to get Drybrook’s only try of the game. He managed to break through a tiring home defence to score near the posts and skipper Andy Milner added the conversion kick.
Next week Drybrook United welcome Newent 2’s to the Mannings for a 2.30pm kick off.
Drybrook United XV; Andy Milner (capt), Ben Harvey, Luke Roberts, Jack Whiting, Jack Freeman, Nathan Tucker, Gareth Holdsworth, Mitch Hale, Dean Jelf, Anthony Suter, Joe James, Len Mulhane, Matt Freeman, Reece Lane, Aiden Burnett.
Replacements; Alex Smailes, Dean Large, Jimmy Smith
Drybrook Extras 31pts
Cheltenham Civil Service 2nds 10pts
This was a good open game but Drybrook Extras superior scrummage platform was the telling factor in the end.
Half backs Chris Rawlings and Jimmy Ryder were able to dictate play and centre Steve Skelton caused the visitors a lot of problems with his direct running.
Later in the game the scrums became uncontested and this allowed Civil Service to come into the game more but Drybrook’s defence and counter attacking were a feature and enough to secure a comfortable victory.
Drybrook’s tries were scored by Skelton (2), Ryder, Steve Virgo and Jack Davies with Rawlings adding 3 conversions.
Drybrook Extras; Steve Virgo, Jordan Eacups, Craig Lancett, Steve Turley, Mitch Williams, Ben Warren, Greg Collins, Richard Roberts, Christopher Rawlings, James Ryder (captain), James Colwell-McQuade, Steve Rawlings, Steve Skelton, Sam Grant, Adam Colwell.
Replacements; Neil Ricketts, Simon Ballinger, Kane Hale Jack Davies, James Meek.
Drybrook 22pts
Drybrook Extras 31pts