Drybrook Rugby Club

Drybrook 18pts
Exmouth 17pts

With the weather not quite knowing what to do, the Drybrook faithful a little uncertain of what to expect after their defeat in Exeter, and Exmouth’s five point win against Cleve, an air of apprehension was mixed with the excitement as Drybrook took to the field in front of a large crowd for the their first home game at this level.
Captain Ben Large had called for a reaction after losing to the University boys and the first five minutes played by his team showed that they had heeded his words as they tore out the blocks to take an early lead.
After two minutes Drybrook were awarded a penalty almost in front of the posts as the Exmouth centre failed to release the ball in the tackle. Tim Stevenson made light work of the kick and the home team led by three.
From the restart Exmouth kicked long and Stevenson took the ball, he sent a long spiralling kick into opposition territory and the defensive line were up quickly to deny the visitors an easy out.
The box kick from the Exmouth scrum half found Kyle Frowen who showed great pace to go through the tackle and take play to the visitors twenty two. He unselfishly drew the fullback in before unloading to the supporting Regan Marsh who was delighted to sprint in between the sticks.
Stevenson converted and at ten nil up Drybrook were well in command.
Exmouth though are not new to this level of rugby and slowly but surely began to work their way back into the game. The Drybrook line-out was not working as well as we are used to seeing and the visitors took advantage to work their way into the Drybrook red zone. After some desperate defending the ref awarded a penalty try to the visitors as Drybrook illegally pulled down the attacking maul.
With the score at ten points to seven in Drybrook’s favour the next fifteen minutes were hard and relentless, both teams had attacking chances and both defences were making big hits.
Greenway and Renton were carrying good ball

.
forward and after a series of forward drives Sam Peaper made ground in the centre of the pitch allowing Marsh to set the backs free with quick ball from the ruck.
Stevenson passed inside to Mitch Baldwin who in turn fed the ball to his captain and in typical fashion Large forced his way over the opposition line to once again open a little breathing space for his team on the thirty minute mark.
Drybrook’s sigh of relief was short lived as Exmouth came tearing back at them. Despite great tackles by Danny Price and James Clancy the Exmouth backs were able to keep the ball alive and they were rewarded on the stroke of halftime when the referee awarded their team a penalty in centre field as Drybrook encroached the offside line.
There was barely time for the restart before the whistle was blown for the break with Drybrook deservedly leading by five points.
With the half time break now being a quarter of an hour the crowd were treated to a dazzling display of aeronautics by the new Drybrook camera drone. Chairman Chris Rawlings was inconsolable after being dive bombed in the look-out tower and spilling half his pint.
The second half kicked off with Drybrook playing towards the clubhouse. The long break did nothing to help them retain concentration and early on they were guilty of a lack of accuracy and intensity as Exmouth raised the level and began to make life difficult for the men in Green.
On the fifty minute mark a series of drives on the Drybrook line brought their reward as the Exmouth prop managed to force his way over the line to bring the scores level. The fullback placed the conversion between the uprights and Exmouth took the lead for the first time in the game going in front seventeen points to fifteen.
Now Drybrook had to show their mettle and the new crop of boy’s did exactly that slowly turning the game back in Drybrook’s favour.
The scrum had been solid all game and with the line-out now at last beginning to function the

home team were able to apply more and more pressure on their opposition.
Something had to give as both sides battled for dominance. Greenway and Peaper were again strong in the loose and with the front row carrying hard and the young boys Watts and Fissendon putting in tremendous work the play moved relentlessly towards the Exmouth line. Stevenson was well in control behind the pack and as he again sent another wave of assaults on the visitor’s defensive line they were forced to concede a penalty at the breakdown.
Up Stepped the Drybrook number ten and he coolly slotted the kick to take his side back in front by a solitary point eighteen to seventeen.
The home crowd were now expecting Exmouth to throw the kitchen sink at their team in search of their second win, but the home team controlled the game well in the last ten to take their first victory at this level.
There were many stand out performers, Stevenson, Large, Greenway, Peaper to name but a few. In truth the whole squad worked tremendously hard for this victory and credit must go to them and their coach’s for the performance they put in.
The clubhouse was buzzing after the game with the home win and the Captains fancy dress night to look forward to.
Ian Pritchard the club’s sponsorship secretary and pitch performance enhancer had arranged for all the sponsors to be at the game, and a great effort from him and his team of lovely ladies ensured everyone had a fantastic day.
The Exmouth President was delighted to receive a Drybrook plaque from none other than Donald Trump and with Prince, Mr Motivator and Mattress Morg ready to party the celebrations lasted long into the night.

Drive on Dry!

Drybrook 1st XV: J Clancy, M Baldwin, D Price, B Large (Capt) L Roberts, T Stevenson, R Marsh, L Boon, A Stretch, M Hale, W Greenway, M Renton, S Peaper, K Frowen, D Fissedon, C Guest, B Watts, R Seville.