Drybrook Rugby Club

Exmouth R.F.C 24
Drybrook R.F.C 7pts

Another good first half performance should have seen Drybrook further ahead at the break but as so often this season they failed to make the most of their chances and allowed Exmouth to come back into the game and dominate the second half.
Exmouth kicked off with the stiff wind and slight slope in their favour. Drybrook gathered the ball and a chip ahead by stand in Scrum-half George Paul took play into the opponent’s half where they earned a penalty when the Exmouth defensive line strayed offside.
Although the penalty kick was missed Drybrook continued to apply all the pressure and the Cocklemen seemed somewhat bemused as to how to deal with the unexpected approach of the visitors.
Time and again though Drybrook failed to press home their advantage and although the penalty count against Exmouth was well into double figures the Foresters still had nothing to show for all their hard work.
Mitch Hale was having a storming first half and time and again carried the ball over the gain line.
Sam Peaper and Kyle Frowen were in the thick of everything and with Bailey Watts as brave as ever the visiting support were given plenty of reason to be hopeful of an upset.

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Try as they might though Drybrook were unable to take advantage of their early dominance. Twice good driving line-outs were halted on the line and in their over exuberance to score Drybrook lacked the finesse to get over the line.
It wasn’t until the thirty fifth minute that they eventually got over the Exmouth whitewash.
A poor clearance kick was charged down and the ball popped up into the hands of winger Luke Roberts who crossed between the posts for Paul George to convert giving Drybrook a seven-nil lead.
This should have stayed intact until the break but typical of the way the season has been going Drybrook failed to clear their lines from the kick-off and Exmouth grabbed a try in the corner to take the score to seven points to five at half time.
The second half again started well for the visitors, Mitch Hale put in a tremendous hit on his opposite number and the Exmouth forwards were forced to hold on at the breakdown and give away a first minute penalty.
Although close, the kick again missed it’s target and Exmouth at last started to show the form that has seen them reach third place in the league.
The Cockles powerful number eight was starting

to come more into the game and his forward impetus meant better ball for the dangerous Exmouth backline.
They took the lead on fifteen minutes, when after a series of penalties given away by the visitors, a catch and drive at the lineout resulted in a converted try.
They followed this ten minutes later with another catch and drive move for a well-executed score which was again converted for a deserved nineteen points to seven lead.
Drybrooks first half dominance was now a thing of the past and they started to tire as Exmouth asserted more pressure at the set piece and breakdown.
Tim Stevenson made it on to the pitch for his first appearance in many months, but even his nous and experience couldn’t prevent a further try for Exmouth giving the Devonians a twenty-four points to seven victory.
Although defeated, Drybrooks first half showing and the promise of players returning after next weeks break will give them plenty of heart and belief that they can turn things around in the weeks to come.

Drive on Dry!