Aretains 16pts  Drybrook 27pts

Drybrook achieved their first league victory of the season but should have won by a more convincing score.  Drybrook subjected the home team to a lot of pressure in this game and were never in danger of losing but they had to wait until the last minutes to bring some respectability to the score line.  Aretians opened the scoring in the second minute with a drop goal but Drybrook were soon on level terms when Aaron Ryder was successful with a penalty from 35 metres.  Aretians then soaked up a lot of pressure before scrum half Carl Moore broke down the blindside of a scrum for Drybrook’s first try.  Aretians made the most of some rare visits into Drybrook’s half of the field to add 2 penalties to give themselves a narrow 1 point lead at the interval.

Drybrook had a lot more purpose about their play in the second half and were soon back in front.  Centre Leon Meek made a series of powerful runs through the middle of the park and good support from the backs kept Aretians on the back foot.  Carl Moore then took advantage of a scrum won against the head to break through under the posts for Ryder to convert.  It was all Drybrook at this stage and flanker Craig Moore was next to grab a try when he charged down an attempted clearance kick on the home line before gathering to score.  Aretians showed their tenacity by adding a try of their own with 22 minutes of the second half gone.  Drybrook were forced to up their game with only a 4 point cushion at this stage but they had to wait until the dying minutes before centre Tad Chapman crossed for a try with Ryder adding the extras.

Drybrook team: C. Rawlings, T. Treherne, L. Meek, T. Chapman, D. Payne, A. Ryder, Carl Moore, T. Reed(Capt), C. Thomas, S. Phelps, S. Ballinger, L. Jackson, Craig Moore, D. Price, N. Morgan.
Replacements ; M. Perkins, L. Phelps, D. Large.