Newent RFC 10pts
Drybrook RFC 34 pts
Drybrook arrived at Newent’s Recreation Ground knowing that a victory would hand them the league title and promotion to the South West Premier League, the Old National Division Three.
After a tremendous season in which they have only lost two games it would all come down to this final eighty minutes against their closest rivals who were one of the only teams to post a victory over the Manning’s men this season.
In the final stretch Drybrook had gone to Exeter, Launceston, Thornbury and Oakhampton and recorded victories as well as beating Matson and Keynsham at home.
Nothing though would be sweeter than beating Newent to win the league and so the stage was set.
The thundery overcast sky matched the tense atmosphere as Newent kicked off down the considerable slope. Drybrook’s Glen Nott took the ball into contact and made space for an early counter attack. Large and Price made ground through the centre and the ball was recycled and took back into the ruck by Mitch Hale. Newent managed to turn over possession and their rather short outside half was adjudged to have been tackled high. He took advantage by converting the penalty himself and Newent were three nil up with five minutes played.
Drybrook were undaunted and from restart were straight back on the attack. Good pressure led to a penalty just outside the Newent twenty two but much to everyone from Drybrook’s surprise the hugely reliable boot of Treherne was this time off target.
This was only a minor setback and from the Newent twenty two metre kick off Charlie Hubert set off on another venture into opposition territory. The attack was carried forward by Greenway and Bourne and when the ball came out to Stevenson he showed his power and pace to score close to the posts. Treherne converted and Drybrook were to take a lead they would not again relinquish.
Newent did their best to get back on terms and pressure from the forwards resulted in a penalty award as Drybrook failed to release the ball carrier in the tackle. The kick was missed
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however and Drybrook were again in possession and looking for points. This time it was Mitch Baldwin who raced clear and took play to the Newent line. As Drybrook looked certain to score Newent deliberately came in from offside and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try and issuing a yellow to the offending player. Drybrook now had a fourteen points to three lead and should really have scored more before the interval. A missed penalty kick was followed by Joe Tingle being held up over the line. The resulting five yard scrum produced good ball but a wayward pass allowed Newent to clear the danger. A penalty kicked to the corner was just overcooked by Stevenson and again Newent were let off the hook. The referee was obviously enjoying himself and in the fourteenth minute of added time Drybrook had a scrum on the Newent five metre line. The linesmen intervened and a penalty was awarded to Newent as the Drybrook prop was allegedly boring in. The Newent winger set off but was well tackled by Mitch Baldwin. Peaper was first on the scene and the Newent player was penalised for holding on to the ball.
Treherne was again off target and Newent cleared the ball to touch to end the half with Drybrook in front by not by as big a margin as their superiority deserved.
The Drybrook restart kick gathered pace down the slope and trickled over the dead ball line.
Newent had a scrum back on the halfway line which afforded them a chance of a rare attack. A kick ahead rebounded off a Drybrook player’s chest and fell kindly into the hands of the Newent fullback who crossed for a try in the corner, well converted by the outside half.
Any fears of a home team comeback were soon allayed as from the restart Drybrook secured the ball and drove into the opposition. Newent did their best to defend but were penalised for trying to slow down the ball and after disputing the decision lost their second row to the sin bin and ten more metres of ground. There was no mistake from Treherne this time as he nailed the penalty and soon after slotted another as Drybrook continued to press.
Renton and Beatie were now on the field and from a good Drybrook scrum just outside the Newent twenty two Renton broke blind and expertly off loaded the ball to Ben George who raced over to put his side in the clear. Treherne was back on song and easily added the extras.
Newent continued to work hard and earned a penalty at the breakdown which they kicked to the corner. The initial catch and drive was well defended so Newent moved the ball to their backs. A crunching tackle by Tingle was well followed up by Peaper who earned his team a penalty as the Newent player was reluctant to release the ball.
A good kick by Stevenson took play back into Newent territory. An excellent lineout was driven all the way to the home team’s line and they did well not to concede the try. However from the resulting five yard scrum Drybrook moved the ball quickly through the hands on the blind-side and Tom Treherne took the final pass to finish with the bonus point try. He converted his own score and Drybrook had a thirty four points to ten lead which they held until the end.
This was a great victory when you consider what was at stake for the Drybrook team. They dominated the game and their discipline was excellent.
It is hard to put into context what this season has been like for this club and this very special group of players and coaches. They have taken us to our highest ever league position as we celebrate our 125th anniversary and have done so by playing exciting open rugby which has been a pleasure to observe.
Congratulations go to everyone involved and we look forward now to the Forest of Dean Combination Cup Final on the 6th of May and next season in the South West Premier League.
Drive on Dry !
Drybrook 1st XV: C Hubert, M Baldwin D Price, B Large (Captain) T Treherne, T Stevenson, B George, M Hale, A Howells, L Boon, W Greenway, G Nott, S Peaper, J Tingle M Bourne.
Replacements: M Renton, E Beatie, H Howard.
