Drybrook 12pts
Bridgwater 5pts
Drybrook were made to dig deep on Saturday against a fired up, determined and resolute Bridgwater team on an extremely wet and muddy Mannings surface which was going to make entertaining rugby a bit of a lottery (How the Forest of Dean need an AGP). The match was nearly postponed due to the conditions but carry on it did and the Drybrook boys got off to the worst possible start, conceding a try after only 2 minutes of play.
The usual impregnable defence was breached after some uncharacteristic weak tackling allowed the away team to get in behind the Drybrook gain line and after several phases of play the Bridgwater winger was put into space and he had no trouble rounding the covering defenders to score in the corner to lead.
With the home supporters not used to these types of setbacks and still a bit shocked, Drybrook immediately played their way up field and laid siege in the Bridgwater 22. With many false dawns and pressure mounting nearer to the try line, arch poacher Sam Peaper once again to bullock his way over from close range to level the scores after 5 minutes.
Drybrook were starting to take early control of the game now with both sides going hell for
.
leather at the contact area with both teams guilty of giving up possession in the tricky conditions but with a few clever kicks for position, Drybrook were once again encamped in the away 22. Continued pressure and with big drives coming from the forwards it was Peaper again who burrowed his way over to score another try which was converted by Rhys Gardner after 22 minutes.
The rest of the half continued much along the same chorus line with plenty of pressure from both sides but handling errors creating a stop start game.
Half time:
Drybrook 12pts
Bridgwater 5pts
The 2nd half was much like the first with a lot of Drybrook pressure but handling errors just at key moments, stopping Drybrook adding to their tally. Joe Tingle was having a barnstorming game with the away team struggling to contain him and with Glenn Nott assisting him with some fierce breakdown work the supporters were having plenty to cheer about. Young Regan Marsh was added to the affray with 25 minutes to go and he immediately added more tempo to
the game with his quick hands in the difficult conditions.
Drybrook did have a chance to increase their lead with 10 minutes to go with a straight forward penalty kick in front of the posts to ease the pressure and the nerves of the big home crowd but Gardner somehow missed the kick which would have put the home team 2 scores in front.
In all fairness there was nothing to worry about as Drybrook were in complete control and should have scored a few more tries but the handling errors and away defence a contributing factor made sure the final score was Drybrook 12pts, Bridgwater 5pts
This was a solid performance by the Drybrook team with another strong set piece display and staying true to their beliefs of playing expansive rugby even in the difficult conditions. Games like this can define seasons especially when the prizes are being handed out at the end of the season so a good gutsy win is nothing to worry about especially for supporters who have been spoiled in recent weeks with a hatful of points.
Drive on Dry!
Drybrook 1st XV: 15.Ryder 14.Gardner 13.Large 12.Price 11.Mullane 10.Stevenson 9.Moore 8.Renton 7.Tingle 6.Peaper 5.Nott 4.Hale 3.Jelf 2.Guest 1.Beattie
Replacements: 16.Marsh 17.Boon 18.Howells
