Drybrook’s hopes of promotion disappeared when they struggled to overcome a spirited Matson outfit at the Mannings by a sufficient enough margin. Drybrook consequently slipped to third in the table following Widden’s 80 point demolition of Painswick.

This means that although achieving the same number of wins as the two teams above them and having the best defensive record overall their point’s difference was not good enough.

Drybrook’s undoing this season was undoubtedly the 2 narrow home defeats they suffered to Cirencester and Old Richians where they played well below their best and this latest match with Matson almost fell into the same category.

Drybrook just could not get going and as the match wore on Matson grew in confidence and almost snatched an unlikely victory.  It took 20 minutes before Drybrook opened their account when scrum half Carl Moore raced through a gap to touch down near the posts for Chris Thomas to convert.  The rest of the half was very uninspiring as both teams struggled for supremacy and scoring opportunities were almost non existent.

The second half was not much better and after 5 minutes a dropped pass on half way led to Matson hacking on and winning the race to the touchdown.  Injuries to some of the Matson front row players led to uncontested scrums after 20 minutes but even with a steadier supply of ball Drybrook could make little headway.  A Chris Thomas penalty after 30 minutes settled Drybrook’s nerves and then flanker Craig Moore was on hand to cross for a try in the corner after the loose ball was snapped up near the Matson line.  With a bit of breathing space Drybrook should have pressed home their advantage but they allowed Matson back in with a try following a driving maul in the corner and then had to ride out an uncomfortable few minutes to secure victory.

Drybrook team: Steve Skelton, Steve Williams, Chris Rawlings, Leon Meek, Tom Treherne, Tad Chapman, Carl Moore, Tom Reed, Chris Thomas, Ken Davies, Simon Ballinger, John Duffin, Craig Moore, Peter Meek, Julian Horobin.
Replacements ; Danny Griffiths, Lee Phelps, Mark Perkins.