Drybrook Rugby Club

Drybrook R.F.C 14pts
Newbury Blues 10pts

Drybrook secured four valuable points in completing the double over Newbury this season. The Newbury team have found the going tough since re-joining the league this year, but are still a good team, and this was a well fought win for the Drybrook lads before the Christmas break.
The heavy rain leading up to the game had put the contest in doubt, but thanks to the gifted groundsman, Ian Pritchard, the Manning’s was in fine fettle to host the game, and the large crowd were in good spirits after a wonderful Christmas lunch and a few glasses of good cheer.
There was no wind to speak of, and Drybrook kicked long towards the club house in the overcast conditions.
The early exchanges were hard felt as both teams looked to gain the upper hand. Drybrook looked the more threatening and from a driven line-out on six-minutes they powered over the oppositions line, only to see their efforts denied as the ref gave a penalty for breaking the bind. On the seventeen-minute mark they took the lead when Mitch Bourne crashed over from close range to open the scoring. Tim Stevenson converted and the home team were seven-points to the good.
Newbury rallied and although the Drybrook defence was up to the task, led by stand-in skipper Danny Price, the away team earned a kickable penalty which they converted to bring the score to seven-points to three with twenty-minutes played.
The restart kick sailed straight into touch, but a solid scrum from the home team saw Mikey

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Adiss take a strike against the head and force Newbury into conceding a penalty. Drybrook kicked upfield and put pressure on the defence with more good work from the forwards and some telling bursts from Stevenson.
The Home team were now dominating possession and when they earned an attacking lineout from another penalty on twenty-six minutes it looked ominous for the Newbury team. Sure, enough Mitch Renton broke infield to set up the ruck and Mitch Hale having a good game in the loose, was on hand to take the ball and go over near the posts. Again, the home team were denied the score – much to the disbelief of those watching. Apparently one of the Newbury defenders had bumped into the ref, and according to the official this had denied him the chance to make a tackle, though how he was going to stop Hale from that close to the line remains a mystery.
Undaunted, Drybrook continued to press and as the half drew to a close, they were at last rewarded for their efforts. A counter-ruck saw Glen Nott steal the ball and feed Mitch Baldwin, who raced away to score just to the left of the posts. Stevenson converted and Drybrook took a well deserved fourteen points to three lead into the break.
The first ten minutes of the second half were fairly even as both sides looked for an opening. Again, it was Drybrook who had the best chances and had they been more clinical they should really have sewn the game up.
Newbury though were still in the hunt and their bulky forwards were beginning to cause the

home team problems, especially in the scrum.
With seventy minutes played the Newbury eight drove forward from a five metre scrummage, as it collapsed over the Drybrook line the inevitable penalty try was awarded and suddenly a game which should have been done and dusted in favour of the Drybrook side, hung in the balance at fourteen points to ten with eight minutes to play.
Drybrook though were in no mood to let this one get away and to their credit they dogged it out for the remainder of the game to take the spoils and earn a well-deserved victory to brighten the Christmas spirit.
Mitch Hale had a fine game and was well supported by Price, Stevenson and the back-row, as well as the ever-reliable Mitch Baldwin, Glen Nott and the rest of the team in a much-needed victory. Drybrook will know that this game should have been put to bed without the drama of the final five minutes, but having two try’s disallowed and missing the likes of Large and Watts, this was still a fine win. It was also good to see Will Greenway back on the pitch where he should be.
Well done to all the players, and thank you to our sponsors and supporters. We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

Drive on Dry !

Drybrook: Curtis, Roberts, Price, Baldwin, Moore, Stevenson, Marsh, Tingle, Frowen, Bourne, Renton, Nott, Hale, Addis, Jelf, Timony, Daynes, Tallent