Drybrook Rugby Club

Drybrook R.F.C 20
Bracknell R.F.C 10

Drybrook rediscovered some of their shine on a bright and breezy afternoon at the Manning’s, to dispatch a useful Bracknell side, with rather more ease than the score-line suggests.
The nervous tension was tangible as kick-off approached, Drybrook and their supporters were all too well aware that defeat in this game would put them in a very tricky situation at the wrong end of the table.
Worry not! The Drybrook side started the game with flair and tempo and Olly Moore, returning to his old position of scrum-half, looked to have sneaked over in the opening ten minutes following a series of assaults on the visitor’s line. The ref however adjudged the ball to have been knocked on in the act of scoring, and Bracknell were able to clear the danger.
Back came Drybrook, and this time there was no denying Moore, as he sailed through the defence for a fine try that Tim Stevenson converted.
Bracknell had hardly been in the game at this stage, but when the opportunity arose, they showed what they were capable of with a strong catch and drive to work their way upfield. Drybrook though looked to have averted the danger when they turned the ball over and fed it back to Stevenson, the Bracknell centre though had come straight through the middle, and the crowd were silenced as he charged down the clearance and touched down for the try. With the conversion a formality and twenty minutes on the clock Bracknell were level at seven apiece.
Rather than go back into their shell Drybrook continued to attack from all phases of play. Mitch Bourne was having a good afternoon picking up from eight and charging at the opposition. Moore was a constant threat, using his pace off the mark to keep the visitors on edge.

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Another try should have followed but a stray pass let Bracknell off the hook as the over-lap was wasted.
Undaunted Drybrook advanced again, Mitch Hale and Joe Tingle making inroads into the Bracknell defence, before Glen Nott and Dean Jelf surged for the line. Despite both efforts been thwarted by the illegality of the Bracknell defenders, no card was shown, and the visitors were relieved to get away with just a three-point deficit against them following a Stevenson penalty.
Bracknell, although up against it, were behaving like a stubborn mongrel, and refused to go quietly into the corner.
Their outside-half was a tricky customer and his quick feet made him a difficult target to put down. Following one of his neat little breaks Drybrook were pinged for being off-side in the back-line and once again Bracknell were back on terms after the same player converted the kick.
With the half coming to a close Drybrook once again set out to advance the lead their dominance deserved. The visitors however remained resilient, and all the home side had to show for all their endeavour was another Stevenson penalty for a thirteen-points to ten half time lead.
The second half began and story followed the script of the one before. Drybrook looking to play expansively and Bracknell using their big forwards to make head-way.
Drybrook increased their lead early-on when a good catch and drive resulted in a well deserved try for Dean Jelf, who once again gave his all in a hard-working performance. Stevenson converted and Drybrook at last had some breathing space as they opened up a ten-point gap.

Bracknell though showed why so many of their games this season have been close affairs. They worked hard to stay in the game and but for the work and expertise at the break-down of Kyle Frowen they may have had more success.
Drybrook always looked to have more ability to open the gap, but frustratingly were held at bay by a dogged defence or a crucial error in a scoring position.
The last quarter was a hard-fought battle, Bracknell on the hunt for at least a bonus point and Drybrook looking for more tries to get them a five-point haul.
Mitch Renton looked to have burst through but the off-load from Tingle was intercepted and Bracknell broke away to gain good field position in the Drybrook twenty-two. Who should be on hand once again though to earn the penalty at the breakdown but the indominable Frowen who celebrated with a rare smile to his Mum and Dad on the touch-line.
Drybrook were able to see out the game and earn a well-deserved double over Bracknell this season. They were well served by a number of players, Large and Price were solid all afternoon in the centre’s, Tom Treherne played well coming in on the wing and the pack all did their bit to gain a vital win for the men in green. Outstanding though were Frowen and Moore who both produced fine individual performances.
Next week Drybrook face a tough encounter with the fishermen of Brixham away in Devon, but will no doubt travel with confidence after their victory this weekend.

Drive on Dry!

Drybrook – Curtis – Treherne – Price – Large – Roberts – Stevenson – Moore – Bourne – Frowen – Watts – Tingle – Nott – Hale – Adiss – Jelf – Renton – Peaper – Daynes.