A Gritty Performance!

Drybrook R.F.C. 17pts
Maidenhead R.F.C. 27pts

On a bright afternoon in front of large crowd both teams put on a fully committed display and although Maidenhead fully deserved their victory, Drybrook can take a lot of positives from their performance.
The Drybrook scrummage was in fine form with Connor Auker-Howlett, Ashley Howells, Mitch Hale and Dean Jelf all doing extremely well against much bigger opposition. The lineout was also a potent weapon and Drybrook will feel aggrieved that more penalties did not come their way due to the disruption of a number of well executed catch and drive manoeuvres.
The day started with an emotional minute’s silence in honour of Taffy Howells and John Treherne. Taffy sadly passed away during the closed season and John sadly in the early hours before the game. Taffy had become a fixture at the Manning’s and rarely missed a game, watching his son Ashley. John was a hard player who began his rugby career quite late when switching from football. He captained the United to cup triumph and was a prominent member of the thirds and fourths until he retired. He was a keen supporter of his son Chris and Grandson Tom. Both men will be sadly missed by all connected with rugby at Drybrook.
It was a typical hard opening to the game but Maidenhead took the lead on eight minutes when they used the pace on the left wing to open the scoring.

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Both sides were creating chances and Drybrook got themselves on the scoreboard after a well struck penalty from outside half Joe Winfield.
Maidenhead then increased their lead following a well worked backs move from a scrum in the middle of the park just outside the Drybrook twenty-two.
Olly Foxley got the touch down with the extras added by Will Runciman.
With forty-five minutes on the clock Drybrook were pressing hard and were awarded a scrum in their opponents twenty-two.
The home support was mystified when the ref awarded a penalty to Maiden head after they had been pushed back in the scrum.
A quick tap and a fine break from Ed Keohane led to a try for Scott Prince, to give his side a rather flattering seventeen points to three half time lead.
The start of the second half was a rather frenetic affair with the home pack throwing everything into attack in an attempt to get back in the game. Strong carries from Will Greenway and Joe Tingle were rewarded with good field position and from a lineout the ball was driven over the visitor’s line with Connor Auker-Howlett getting the touch down. Winfield converted to bring the score within seven points.
Unfortunately, almost from the restart Drybrook were penalised at the breakdown and Kehoane was able to convert to give his side some

breathing space.
Drybrook came back again, but with sixty-eight minutes played Maidenhead made the game safe with a breakaway bonus point try.
Parkin fed Foxley who looked certain to score until he was hauled down from behind after debutant flanker Toby Powell did well to get back. Parkin, however was on hand to take the return pass and grab the try, which Keohane converted.
It was fitting that Drybrook had the final say and after more endeavour Kyle Frowen was on hand to cross the whitewash. Winfield converted but there was no time left for Drybrook to gain a bonus point their display deserved.
Drybrook were well served by their debutants Morgan Paley, Toby Powell and impressive full-back Jack Curtis. It was also good to see the war horse Glenn Nott back in action after a long lay-off through injury, but it was the impressive front row men who took the combined men of the match award. .
Next week we are on the road to newly promoted Newbury in what is sure to be another hard-fought encounter,

Drive on Dry and well-done boys!

DRYBROOK FIRST XV: CURTIS, PALEY, PRICE, LARGE, BALDWIN, WINFIELD, MARSH, TINGLE, FROWEN, WATTS, NOTT, GREENWAY, HALE, HOWELLS, AUKER-HOWLETT, JELF, POWELL, CLANCY