Trial Match:
DRYBROOK 37
ABERGAVENNY 12
Drybrook started their preparations for the new season with a slick performance against a robust Abergavenny outfit coached by former Bath and Wales backrow forward Nathan Tucker.
The first quarter was an evenly contested affair and it took a good break by Mitch Baldwin with support from the impressive Danny Price who combined well to put Luke Roberts in at the corner for the first try of the afternoon.
Drybrooks forwards started to make inroads into their opponents defence with strong carries from Greenway, Tingle and Bourne the space was provided for the backline to send the irrepressible Ollie Moore on his way to the line to take Drybrook further ahead.
This spurred the Abergavenny forwards into a more direct style of play and good driving from their front five produced the room for their centre to go in near the posts for a converted try to bring the quarter to an end with the score at 10 -7 in Drybrook’s favour.
The home team made wholesale changes for the second quarter bringing on a host of home grown talent for their senior debuts, with scrumhalf Regan Marsh, backrow Fenton Bourne and winger Billy Bowdler all playing well in a very even period of the game where the defences of both teams were well to the fore with Lenny Mulhane prominent in the Drybrook ranks.
Despite their best efforts Drybrook were unable to cross the line and the opposition stole the lead with a well worked try after some strong running from their forwards and quick hands out behind.
It was in the third quarter of the game that Drybrook produced their best rugby to put the game beyond the reach of their resilient opposition.
The bullocking carries from new prop Luke Boon and the sharp mind and quick feet of young scrumhalf Ollie Moore kept the opponents on the back foot and try’s were scored at regular intervals, one for Moore a good individual effort from Peaper and two from Tom Treherne, one of which he even managed to convert!
The last quarter was a closer affair with the Abergavenny team looking to limit the damage to the scoreboard with some excellent defence and good ball retention.
Drybrook mounted siege to their opponent’s line and were eventually rewarded when young winger Billy Bowdler crossed for his first try in senior rugby, much to the delight of his Dad on the touchline.
This was a good start to Drybrook’s preparations for the new season with plenty of good rugby from both teams and a look at what can be achieved when you have a youth section that strives admirably to produce future talent for the club.
It was good to see Rhys Gardner back from injury celebrating the birth of his first born child a couple of days before and with the likes of Howells, Coombes and Stevenson still to return, and a younger and fitter linesman on show, the signs are looking good for the season ahead.
