Resurgent Drybrook!

Drybrook R.F.C 45pts
Oakhampton R.F.C 17pts

On a bitterly cold afternoon at the Mannings, Drybrook provided an excellent match winning display, to bring a touch of warmth to their supporters, and a much-needed moral booster for the players.
The basis for the victory came from a very solid display up-front. The scrum never wavered, the line-out dominated and the work put in by the back-row was exceptional.
Oakhampton came into the game on the back of a victory over Camborne the week before, and the pace in their back-line posed a real threat. They were in the game for a good fifty minutes, but a lack of possession and the relentless attack of the Drybrook team eventually took its toll, and in the end, they were well beaten.
Drybrook took to the field feeling a little aggrieved that they had lost the previous weeks game to a last-minute score at Ivybridge and set out from the start with a determinability that they were not going to let this one get away from them.
Drybrooks first try came from good possession from the forwards, allowing George Paul to dance his way over. Utility back Tom Treherne, slotting in this week at scrum-half, showed that he has all of the prowess his father Chris possessed, converting this and every other kick of the afternoon.
Another try was added by the formidable Glen Nott, who forced his way over the whitewash, to give the home team a fourteen-point early lead in the game.

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Up to this point Oakhampton had not seen a lot of the ball, but when they did eventually gain some worthwhile possession they fed their inside centre, who slipped the first tackle to score his team’s first points.
Drybrook hit back with the champagne moment of the game. The ball was taken forward by Greenway and Peaper, who set up the ruck on the visitors twenty-two, Quick ball was fed back to Mitch Hale who unselfishly transferred it to his fellow front row colleague Dean Jelf. The pace of the tight-head was something to behold as he rounded the opposition winger to dive in at the corner, to the sound of cheers from the home crowd. The smile on his face as he trotted back to half-way summed up the feeling of the whole ground who have been willing this team to perform with the ability we know they possess.
Oakhampton though, still posed a threat, and a score on half-time made sure they still had an interest in the game.
At the break Drybrook led by 21pts to 12pts
Drybrook showed their strength in depth in the back-row by replacing the irrepressible Sam Peaper with the relentless Kyle Frowen for second half.
Frowen’s first contribution was to turn the ball over from the kick-off and earn his team a penalty in front of the opposition’s posts. Treherne was deadly with the boot and Drybrook moved a little further into the lead.
Next on the scoresheet was man of the match Mitch Bourne.

Mitch has never played better for Drybrook his ball carries and work ethic were inspirational, and it was nothing more than he deserved when his tenacity took him over the line.
Oakhampton, to their credit, could have folded but instead hit back with another try to keep their hopes of achieving something from the game well and truly alive.
Drybrook, however, have been on the wrong end of too many tight calls this season and they were in no mood to give the visitors anything in this game.
Mitch Bourne deservedly got his second try of the game and as the visitors tired, victory was sealed when Harry Howard picked a fine line to take a deft ball from replacement Tim Stevenson to cross for Drybrooks final try. Treherne converted and the home team could celebrate a well won bonus-point victory.
Next week the Green Army are off on their travels to take on the Cornish All Blacks Launceston.
Another performance like todays would be more than welcome.

Drive on Dry!

Drybrook – A Saunders, R Chapell, D Price, B Large (Captain), H Howard, G Paul, T Treherne, M Hale, C Williams, D Jelf, G Nott, W Greenway, B Watts, S Peaper, M Bourne.
Replacements – T Stevenson, M Adiss, K Frowen.