Dings Crusaders 26pts Drybrook nil

Dings paid Drybrook the compliment of fielding a full strength team for this cup match and it was just as well as the visitors battled hard throughout and were unlucky to lose by such a margin.  Just before kick off a violent storm rendered the Dings pitch unplayable so the game was switched to nearby Ashley Down Old Boys.  Dings started very strongly and with the fierce wind at their backs they pressurised Drybrook and from a speculative kick through they gathered to score the opening try.  With only 12 minutes gone Drybrook conceded another try when poor defence let the home side in near the posts.  The wind and rain became so strong that neither side was able to make much headway but on 25 minutes Dings managed to brake the deadlock. A penalty kick to the corner led to a lineout catch and drive that Drybrook were unable to stop.  For the remainder of the half Drybrook had their best period and came close to scoring themselves but were just kept out.  Just before the interval Drybrook were dealt a double blow when both Julian Horrobin and John Duffin were yellow carded for minor technical infringements.Somehow Drybrook’s gallant 13 managed to keep Dings out and when they were back up to strength the match turned into a midfield stalemate.  Both teams deserved credit for trying to play rugby in such adverse conditions where at one stage the wind was so strong that the posts looked in danger of collapsing. 

The only scoring in the second half came near the end when Drybrook’s Tad Chapman cleared up the loose ball before kicking to touch. The wind carried the ball back in field straight into the arms of the Dings centre who was able to draw the last defender to send his winger in on the overlap.

 Drybrook team: Steve Williams, Jamie Roberts, Tad Chapman, Chris Rawlings, Dave Payne, Aaron Ryder, Carl Moore, Tom Reed (capt), Chris Thomas, Scott Phelps, John Duffin, Simon Ballinger, Craig Moore, Peter Meek, Julian Horrobin
Replacements: Chris White, Tom Treherne, Paul Sainsbury, Andy Jones.