Collumpton 14pts
Drybrook 22pts
On a dull afternoon in Devon Drybrook did well to overcome the changes they were forced to make for this fixture and come away with another good win.
Had the chances that were created been taken they could well have won by a greater margin.
Drybrook kicked off into a strong cross breeze and Collumpton showed their game tactics early with a long kick downfield for their backs to chase.
Drybrook as we have seen this season already are prepared to play from anywhere and a perfectly timed pass from Tim Stevenson set Olly Moore free to make a lovely break down the left hand side of the pitch. Cully were caught offside at the ensuing ruck and Stevenson placed the ball into the corner to set up an attacking lineout. The catch and drive was perfectly executed and Poacher Peaper was on hand at the back of the maul to touch down for the visitor’s first try, which was converted by the reliable boot of Treherne.
Drybrook were under pressure in the scrum but Tingle playing at eight this week due to Mitch Bourne being unavailable was doing well to clean up and carry the ball forward.
Drybrook were looking to move the ball at every opportunity and Mitch Baldwin, who is looking better than ever this season, made a strong run through the middle to set up good field position. Unfortunately with men over Stevenson’s pass was misdirected and the ball went into touch.
Drybrook were unlucky again on the quarter of an hour mark when another catch and drive from the lineout was well defended and the home team able to clear.
At this stage it was Drybrook who were playing all the rugby and on twenty minutes the Cullompton fullback was yellow carded for taking the player out without the ball. From the resulting penalty the ball was recycled quickly but was lost in contact metres from the line and Cully were able to clear.
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The backs continued to break tackles and after another good run from Moore the Cullompton defence strayed offside to give Treherne a shot at goal which he was happy to dispatch for another three points.
Moore unfortunately had to leave the field after this suffering an ankle injury.
With five minutes left of the half Drybrook pressed forward again through Large and Price and once again Cullompton were forced to concede a penalty which was duly kicked to the corner. Another well executed lineout set up Mitch Hale to power his way over and with Treherne converting Drybrook looked set to take a seventeen point lead into the break.
Cullompton however shocked everyone by deciding to run with the ball and their openside crossed for a converted try after their first real attack of the game to bring the first half proceedings to an end.
Drybrook emerged for the second half with Tingle carrying a hamstring injury but forced to carry on with a lack of personnel at their disposal. Renton was on for Jelf in the front row and with Gardner already replacing Moore on the wing they were left with just one replacement in young scrum half Regan Marsh.
Play was held up after two minutes following a nasty collision in midfield which led to the Cullompton second row having to be helped from the field.
Drybrook were again creating chances but a confused call at a five metre attacking lineout and crossing in midfield with the try line at their mercy did nothing to help their cause.
Cullompton seemed happy to rely on their scrummage and kickers to play the game, which did little to add to the spectacle of a rather disappointing twenty five minutes of play.
Eventually it was Tim Stevenson, who having missed the previous week due to work commitments, was back to his majestic best and he bulldozed his way through the
defence to set up a chance for Baldwin to run at the opposition. Baldwin was going well until a high tackle from the Cullompton scrum half halted his progress. The ball was kicked to touch and this time it was the returning Mitch Renton who got the touch down from the catch and drive.
The game was now in its final stages. Young Regan Marsh was on for Tingle which meant more reorganising and Drybrook should really have taken the bonus point but again their efforts were thwarted as the ball was lost over the line or held up just short.
As in the first half it was not until the last few minutes that Cully decided to play more expansively and were again rewarded with the last try of the match, which when converted gave a rather unrealistic view of the game.
Despite the changes and the reshuffles Drybrook had come and beat a rugged Devonian outfit who were fourth in the league. This result leaves the Forest outfit ten points clear of Launceston who are in third, and just one bonus point win behind Exeter University who top the table.
Credit has to go to the lads who came in, Jelf, Renton, Gardner and Marsh who all had a part to play in another good league result. The truth is however if we are seriously thinking of mounting a promotion challenge it is vital that we have all our squad available.
Pritch was able to celebrate his fifty third birthday in style, as he was staying in a plush Devonshire hotel, where he, Tanya and Derek Sterry were booked in for a lovely five course dinner and a room with a beautiful four poster bed which I’m sure they all enjoyed.
Drybrook – T. Treherne, O. Moore, H. Howard, B. Large, M. Baldwin, T. Stevenson, B. George, D. Jelf, A. Howells, M. Hale, W. Greenway, L. Mullane, S. Peaper, D. Price, J.Tingle
Replacements – M.Renton – R.Gardner – R.Marsh.
