The score-line may suggest a rather one-sided affair, but try’s just before the break, and a couple of converted scores at the end of the game give this contest a rather different reflection of what took place on the day.
Old Redcliffians R.F.C 38pts
Drybrook R.F.C 12pts
The score-line may suggest a rather one-sided affair, but try’s just before the break, and a couple of converted scores at the end of the game give this contest a rather different reflection of what took place on the day.
No one is denying that Old Reds who have come down from National league two were the better side on the day and deserved their victory, but they were pushed all the way by a Drybrook team who competed well in all phases of the game.
It was a beautiful day for rugby and Drybrook turned up on block, with the Under 15’s winning the opening match and the Vets displaying some wonderful skills on their way to victory in the warm up game, prior to the First team match.
The Old Reds pitch is quite unique and the downhill advantage is worth at least twelve points alone.
This was in fact the case until the final seconds of a fiercely contested first half.
Drybrook coming up the slope caused their opponents plenty to worry about. The driving line-out went well and with little option rather than to run back the amount of ball being kicked down the hill to them, the back line also showed plenty of promise.
Old Reds however know how to play the pitch and long kicks resulted in good attacking positions from which they scored two try’s, converting one of these to take the score to twelve points to nil.
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The only disappointing moment came right on the stroke of half-time when Reds broke away to score a third try taking the score to seventeen – nil at the break.
If Drybrook were disappointed that their first-half effort went unrewarded they soon made amends in the first few minutes of the second half.
A fine attack down the slope was rewarded when the dancing feet of outside-half George Paul took him clear of the defence to score a try which full-back Tom Treherne converted.
Drybrook now back in the game continued to battle well. Danny Price was superb in the centre and Ashley Howells, Glen Nott and Cameron Cobbett were making life difficult for the home team at the breakdown.
Bailey Watts was once again heroic in the tackle and Holenstein and Jelf continue to impress up front.
The Reds team however were using their big backline to good effect and their twelve smashed into the Drybrook defence on a number of occasions to set up attacking plays, allowing the pacey full-back to grab a converted score. Drybrook again showed their resilience and came back at the Reds to cross the line, with the try scored once again by George Paul, taking his personal tally to four in two games.
With the clock running down Drybrook tried their best to add to their total, with the back-row
of Frowen, Tingle and Bourne carrying again and again into the opposition only to be denied by a superb Old Reds defence.
Drybrook had given their all, and with the home team breached a tiring defence twice in the last minutes of the game, they will be saddened that the final score did not reflect the true nature of the game.
Reds will be in contention for one of the top spots in this league come the end of the season and Drybrook will be heartened that they put up such a good fight.
Particularly worthy of mention are scrum-half Corrado Colombo who had an excellent debut and linked brilliantly with the highly impressive George Paul. Ashley Saunders, Ryan Chappell and hooker Callan Williams are also very good additions to the Drybrook squad and with Club Captain Ben Large and a number of others set to return things are looking very good for the rest of the season.
Next week we are at home to newly promoted Royal Wooten Basett in what promises to be another exciting clash at the Manning’s.
Drive on Dry!
Drybrook – Tom Treherne, Sam Paper, Danny Price, Archie Saunders, Ryan Chappell, George Paul, Corrado Colombo, Dean Jelf, Ashley Howells, Cameron Holenstein, Glen Nott, Cameron Cobbett, Bailey Watts, Kyle Frowen, Joe Tingle Replacements Mitch Bourne, Callan Williams, Ben Casey.
