Gloucestershire Premier League

Drybrook 27pts Cirencester 11pts

 

Drybrook  got back to winning ways and only a late consolation try from Cirencester marred an otherwise good performance.

Drybrook started off really well and had the visitors in trouble on their own line. An Aaron Ryder penalty after 3 minutes rebounded off the posts but Drybrook were up quickly to charge down the attempted clearance and winger Dave Hartwell won the race to the touchdown.

Ryder converted and Drybrook kept up the pressure but Cirencester eventually shook off their lethargy to take the game to the hosts.

In the period leading up to the interval Cirencester began to take control and kicked a penalty after Drybrook were marched back another 10 metres after disputing the decision.

Right on the stroke of half time Cirencester got themselves to within 1 point with a second penalty again assisted by an extra 10 metres as Drybrook continued to argue with the referee.

Drybrook upped their game after the interval and scored a lovely try after 5 minutes when centre Leon Meek tapped a pass down to full back Chris Rawlings who raced through the gap to score near the posts.

Ryder converted and then added a penalty despite his team being down to 14 men with Leon meek in the sin bin at this stage following an altercation at a ruck.

Drybrook were in complete control midway through the second half and Ryder added a drop goal to increase their lead and minutes later he added the conversion to another good try.

This time winger Dave Hartwell picked up a bad pass before gliding past several defenders on his way to the line.

With nothing to lose going into the last minutes Cirencester kept the game alive and their enterprise was rewarded with a try as Drybrook’s defence was found wanting.

For Drybrook fullback Chris Rawlings looked sharp and there were other useful contributions from centre Simon Rugman and second row John Duffin who skippered the side in the absence of Tom Reed.

Drybrook Team; C. Rawlings, D. Griffiths, L. Meek, S Rugman, D. Hartwell, A. Ryder, C. Moore, L Phelps, C. Thomas, S. Phelps, J. Duffin(capt), D. Critchley, L. Jackson, D Price, N. Morgan.

Substitutes: M Browning, S Hale, S Ballinger