Drybrook 25pts Widden OB 18pts
A magnificent effort from the Drybrook pack
laid the foundation for victory in this top of the table clash at the
Mannings.
The driving wind and rain did little to
dampen the enthusiasm of both teams who treated the crowd to a full blooded
contest that was as close as the score line suggests. Drybrook started
the game very well and took the lead after 4 minutes when a long pass
enabled winger Jamie Roberts to squeeze over in the corner. It did not
take Widden long to respond and after a period of pressure they won the race
to the touchdown following a kick through and chase. After this score
the heavens opened but this suited Drybrook better as their forwards started
to get the upper hand though the visitors always looked dangerous in open
play. Neither side was able to add to their sore until just before the
interval when Widden kicked a penalty to go in front but this was soon
cancelled out when Luke Beard replied for Drybrook to leave the scores level
at the interval.
In the second half Widden edged in front
again when they scored an excellent converted try by flat footing Drybrook’s
defence on half way before a good handling move brought a deserved score.
After this Drybrook’s forward domination began to tell and a series of
scrums close to the visitor’s line eventually resulted in scrum half Carl
Moore grabbing a try that Beard easily converted.
It
must have been hard work for the Widden pack as they were consistently
driven back at the scrummage and it came as no surprise when No 8 Neil
Morgan crashed over near the posts following some good driving play by the
Drybrook forwards.
It
must have been hard work for the Widden pack as they were consistently
driven back at the scrummage and it came as no surprise when No 8 Neil
Morgan crashed over near the posts following some good driving play by the
Drybrook forwards.
Beard added the extras for Drybrook but
Widden hit straight back with a long range penalty to stay within touching
distance of the home team. 10 minutes from the end Beard restored
Drybrook’s advantage with a difficult penalty kick and the home side were
able to ride out the remainder of the game with their pack denying Widden
any worthwhile possession to attack with. Man of the match for
Drybrook was second row John Duffin who was the key player in most of
Drybrook’s forward drives well elsewhere scrum half Carl Moore, second row
Julian Horrobin and No 8 Neil Morgan all stood out.
Drybrook team: Steve Skelton, Dave Payne, Chris Rawlings,
Leon Meek, Jamie Roberts, Luke Beard, Carl Moore, Tom Reed (capt), Chris
Thomas, Scott Phelps, John Duffin, Julian Horrobin, Craig Moore, Pete Meek,
Neil Morgan.
Replacements: Steve Williams, Simon Ballinger, Tom Treherne.
Man of the Match Awards: Presented by
Sponsors Brain Hale of Polypipe and Roger Hale of Hale and Co:
Pete Meek - Neil Morgan - John Duffin