Match Report Cirencester

Cirencester 13pts Drybrook 10pts

Drybrook surprisingly lost their unbeaten league record at lowly Cirencester but only have themselves to blame following a tactically naïve second half performance. Playing up the considerable slope in the first half Drybrook performed well and at the break the score was deadlocked at 3pts – 3pts with Chris Thomas kicking Drybrook’s penalty. Turning around Drybrook made the fateful mistake of thinking victory was theirs without putting in the effort to achieve it and somehow Cirencester were able to snatch an unlikely victory.

Drybrook’s second half performance was very disjointed as they made error after error and with 10 minutes remaining there was no urgency to their game. Cirencester gave Drybrook a lesson in mauling and acquiring turnover ball as they fed off the numerous mistakes created by their visitor’s predictable play. Attempting to run out of defence Drybrook lost the ball near their own line and quick recycling from the home team enabled their outside half to drop a goal to give his side the lead. Worse was to follow for Drybrook when a charged down clearance kick bounced kindly for the home team who gathered to score a converted try. Drybrook’s response was quick and positive when at last they strung a move together to allow scrum half Carl Moore to dive over near the posts. Chris Thomas converted and there was still time for Drybrook to snatch a win but they wasted a golden opportunity in injury time when a promising move was halted by a player holding on too long after the tackle and Cirencester gratefully cleared.

The only Drybrook players to distinguish themselves in this game were centre Leon Meek and scrum half Carl Moore who both stood out in an otherwise lack lustre performance.

Drybrook team: Steve Williams, Dave Payne, Chris Rawlings, Leon Meek, Jamie Roberts, Julian Horrobin, Carl Moore, Tom Reed (capt), Chris Thomas, Scott Phelps, John Duffin, Simon Ballinger, Craig Moore, Pete Meek, Neil Morgan.

Replacements: Mark Castree, Dean Large, Jason Roberts