Drybrook 1st XV Match Report
3rd March - Gloucestershire Premier League
Avonmouth Old Boys 18pts Drybrook 12pts
Both teams agreed to go ahead with this match on a heavy pitch that was just about playable but it was the home team who used the conditions better and they were able to scrape a victory that could leave Drybrook’s title hopes in shatters. For the first 20 minutes Drybrook were forced to defend but they eventually worked a position near the home line and N0 8 Neil Morgan touched down following a driving maul. Within 5 minutes of the restart Avonmouth were on level terms when they forced a series of line outs in the corner and eventually bundled over from a catch and drive.
In the second half Drybook played up the slight slope but regained the lead after 10 minutes when a powerful scrum close to the home line led to a penalty try that Chris Thomas easily converted. From this position Drybrook should have gone on to win the game but Avonmouth began to use the conditions better with a number of kicks over the top that forced the visitor’s onto the back foot. Avonmouth were able to force a number of line outs in the corner and their persistent catch and drive policy eventually paid dividends with 2 tries to take the lead. With 10 minutes remaining Avonmouth added a penalty to increase their lead and although Drybrook rallied strongly in the dying minutes they could not close the gap.
Drybrook team: Steve Skelton, Steve Williams, Chris
Rawlings, Simon Rugman, Tom Treherne, Julian Horrobin, Carl Moore, Tom Reed,
Chris Thomas, Scott Phelps, Jim Hillcoat, Dale Critchley, John Duffin, Peter
Meek, Neil Morgan.
Replacements ; Simon Ballinger, Craig Moore, Gareth Ruck
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