Barnstaple R.F.C 17pts
Should of and could of were phrases that were heard a lot in the clubhouse after Saturday’s game against top of the table Barnstaple. In all truthfulness though Drybrook will feel that they had only themselves to blame as ill discipline cost them dearly in an even match that could have gone either way.
When Barnstaple scored the deciding try with eight minutes remaining Drybrook only had thirteen players left on the pitch, and it does not need a mathematical genius to work-out that fifteen is a far better number in terms of players on the field.
Barnstaple will consider themselves fortunate that they still had the full compliment of players on the pitch after the high, no-arm tackle that led to a yellow card could easily have been red.
You may think reading this that the game was a somewhat over physical affair, but this was not the case.
Most of the infringements were for very easy to avoid elementary mistakes which should have been dealt with better by the players.
Barnstaple seemed to adapt better to the way the game was refereed, and when the vital decisions were made it was the home team who took the brunt of them.
Drybrook started the game well in front of a large crowd containing a number of Cinderford supporters who were enjoying a cheap day out.
They were producing quick ball and stretching the visitors defence, and it was well justified when they took the lead on the ten-minute mark