Drybrook R.F.C 1st XV 7pts
Maidenhead R.F.C 1st XV 29pts
Drybrook were fielding a near full strength team. The pre-match meal and pleasantries had gone well. A good sized crowd considering the weather had gathered at the Manning’s.
Then along came Maidenhead and rained on our parade.
Things could not have started better as Maidenhead kicked off towards the clubhouse and Drybrook second row Will Greenway fielded the ball taking it into contact where the home side were awarded a penalty for the opposition going off their feet. The resulting lineout on the opposition ten metre line was tapped down to Frowen who drove forward into Maidenhead territory. Further drives by Greenway and Peaper looked sure to bring an early reward but the ball was turned over and a long kick downfield looked to have cleared the danger. Mitch Baldwin was back to take the ball in his own twenty two and after beating the first defender he rapidly made ground down the left touchline. A deft chip over the top was collected by the same player and he unselfishly drew the fullback before passing inside to scrumhalf James Clancy who went between the posts unopposed. Tim Stevenson converted and all was well with the world.
The next ten minutes were fairly even with both teams playing committed rugby. On seventeen minutes the away team were awarded a penalty on halfway which they kicked deep into touch on the Drybrook five metre line. Desperate defending prevented a try from the catch and
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drive, but the home team were forced to concede a penalty for coming in on the side and the big Maidenhead forwards opted for a scrum which they drove over the Drybrook line for their number eight to touch down. The two points were added and the scores were level.
Drybrook were penalised again from the kick off and were forced to defend stoically as the away team used their big forwards to bulldoze their way up the field. Big hits from Stevenson and Beatie were rewarded when Maidenhead held on to the ball on the floor and Drybrook were able to relieve the pressure.
Drybrook should really have scored the next try as a good break by Frowen was then taken on by Baldwin who jinked his way to the line before being tackled, the support came and a dangerous looking tackle around the neck of the Drybrook hooker went unpunished and the opposition were awarded a penalty instead allowing them to relieve the pressure.
On thirty seven minutes the away team kicked a penalty to take a three point advantage, but from the restart Drybrook were on the attack again. This however led to the defining moment of the game. The ball was moved wide to the left but in attempting to reverse the play the Maidenhead inside centre intercepted and galloped away to score between the posts. He converted his own try to bring the half time score to seventeen points to seven in favour of the visitors.
With the weather deteriorating and the Maidenhead pack taking the upper hand the
second period was always going to be a struggle for the home team.
Drybrook always looked threatening with ball in hand but they could not win enough clean possession to mount any real pressure on the opponent’s line.On fifty eight minutes Maidenhead were awarded a penalty at the scrum which they again kicked deep into the Drybrook half. From the lineout they used their superior weight advantage to drive the ball over the line and increase their lead.
The game then followed the same pattern for the remainder of the time available with Maidenhead scoring another converted try from a five metre scrum on seventy minutes.
No further points were added and the final score was a deserved twenty nine points to seven win for Maidenhead who controlled the second period especially well through their forward dominance.
Drybrook always knew that there would be big tests ahead of them in this league and given the resources of an amateur village rugby team they can hold their heads high for the effort they showed.
Newton Abbot away next week will be another hard test but I am sure the lad’s will be busting a gut to get another win on the board.
Drive on Dry!
Drybrook: O Moore, M Baldwin, D Price, B Large (Capt) L Roberts, T Stevenson, J Clancy, R Seville, A Howells, E Beatie, W Greenway, L Mullane, S Peaper, K Frowen, M Bourne, D Jelf, A Stretch, B Watts.
