Drybrook 40pts
Okehampton 19pts
Drybrook moved up to third in the league after this impressive victory over a confident Okehampton team, who had two impressive bonus point wins under their belts before this encounter at the Manning’s.
Tension was building nicely for this encounter with the knowledge of Okehampton’s good start to the season,and Drybrook securing a fine victory at North Petherton the previous week, a hard fought afternoon looked to be on the cards.
Due to an accident on the motorway the Okehampton players were late to arrive and the kick off was duly delayed to add a touch more drama to the occasion.
The morning showers had cleared to allow the expectant crowd to bask in the sunshine and the match kicked off with Drybrook straight away into the ascendancy.
The Okehampton squad looked somewhat jet lagged as Drybrook took control of the first quarter opening up a six point lead from two well struck penalties from Tom Treherne, playing his first game for some time at scrum half.
Okehampton by now had shaken off their early lethargy and came storming back into the game, using their powerful back row to set up quick ball, their scrum half took advantage to sneak in for an unconverted try on the twenty two minute mark.
They continued to show the form that had dispatched Clevedon and Cullumpton in the previous weeks, and went further ahead when their influential number eight broke a couple of attempted tackles to send their centre in for a good try between the sticks, duly converted by the Okehampton scrumhalf.
At twelve six down the home team needed to up their ante, and with the encouragement of their coach Mr Fortey ringing in their ears they were soon back on the attack.
A good series of carries from the forwards led to a penalty at the ruck and Treherne, having a good day with the boot sent the ball between the uprights.
From the restart Drybrook were once again on the hunt for points and another Oakhampton indiscretion led to a penalty that was kicked to the corner to set up an attacking lineout.
A well-rehearsed catch and drive move resulted in a try for the hard working Glen Nott.
Treherne was again successful with the conversion and Drybrook were good value for their sixteen points to twelve half time lead.
The second half saw the return of Joe Tingle, whose strong defence was called on to negate the threat of the away team’s hard carrying back row.
The Drybrook set piece was again functioning well and Mitch Bourne was enjoying the freedom to run at the heart of the away defence.
It was from one of these powerful surges that Oakhampton were forced to defend illegally. Eagle eye Treherne again nailed the kick and after a further converted try was added by the impressive Bourne, all that was now needed was for Drybrook to add the bonus point their performance deserved.
The crowd did not have to wait long. It was no surprise that the well-oiled Drybrook lineout provided the ball needed for their sharp back line to set up play on the opposition’s line, Sam Peaper got his hands on the ball and there was never any doubt about the outcome as he placed the ball over the whitewash to set up Treherne for another two points.
With the clock running down the bonus point win was secured when Will Greenway brushed away the tiring defence to score a try his personal performance deserved.
Treherne kept up his perfect kicking average to take the score to forty and despite a last minute consolation try for the visitors a well fought victory for the Green Machine was in the bag.
Drybrook face a difficult trip to Teignmouth next week, who themselves have had a good start to the season.
On the back of their last two performances however, it is going to take a good side beat us.
Drybrook 1st XV: R Gardner, M Baldwin, B Large, H Howard, O Moore, T Stevenson, T Treherne, L Boon, A Howells, E Beatie, G Nott, W Greenway, S Peaper, L Mullane, M Bourne.
Replacements: J Tingle, C Guest, L Roberts.
New 1st XV Playing Jerseys sponsored by Hale & Co were presented to Drybrook Rugby Football Club prior to the match. Jake Hale and Wayne Long from Hale & Co. (Drybrook) Ltd joined Skipper Ben Large and President Gerald Ward for the photograph of the official presentation.
