Reports Frame

Drybrook were too strong for Dowty and ran out easy winners. Zac Boothman led the charge for Drybrook with 4 tries with others coming from Steve Rawlings (2), Jason Roberts, Lee Jones, Chris White, Grantley Brown and Andy Milner who also kicked 9 conversions. Milner’s prowess with the boot has now seen him create a season’s record for the Extras with his 170 points eclipsing the previous best of 144pts set by Jeremy Fisher in 1992/93.

Another good performance from the Extras saw them run out comfortable winners against the Civil Service. For Drybrook tries were scored by Tom Maskell, Dan Large, Steve Rawlings, Andy Milner and a penalty try awarded when debutant Grantley Brown was impeded in the race to the touch down. Andy Milner added 3 conversions for Drybrook who were particularly well served by centre Dave Appleby.

Longlevens “A” 7pts Drybrook Extras nil (Abandoned after 27minutes)
A broken leg sustained by a Longlevens player brought a premature end to this game as proceedings were held up for a long period. It was an unfortunate end to a game that had been long awaited as both teams were chasing the second promotion spot.

Westbury –on –Severn “A” nil Drybrook Extras 38pts

The Extras had it a little easier at Westbury and scored 6 tries to run out comfortable winners. Ben Steward led the way with 2 tries with others coming from Tony Hussey, Chris Tingle, Damon Mahon and Steve Rawlings. With regular kicker Andy Milner absent the kicking duties were shared between several players with Hussey (2), Lewis Mitchell (1) and hooker Clive Boughton (1), with the aid of the upright, all proving successful. For Drybrook new prop forward Chris Parker came on a second half substitute to make his debut for the team.

Drybrook Extras Citizen Merit League 4 game at home to ChosenHill was cancelled as the visitors were unable to raise a team so the team travelled to Old Cryptians instead. Centre Steve Rawlings was the key man for Drybrook and he helped himself to 5 tries with other tries coming from Jamie Daunter, Victor Jones, and Lewis Mitchell.Andy Milner added 5 conversions and a drop goal.

Cinderford Bucks 15pts Drybrook Extras 11pts

The Extras lost for the first time since early November when they were pipped by the Bucks in this forest derby.

Dave Thomas scored Drybrook’s try and Andy Milner kicked 2 penalties but Cinderford snatched the result late on with a couple of penalties from Andy Reed who kicked 5 in total, all in front of the posts.

Drybrook Extras 14 pts Berry Hill Wappers nil

The Extras latest victory came at the expense of a big Wappers outfit whose pack revelled in the muddy conditions but lacked the fire power out behind. Drybrook scored the only try of the game through impressive winger Matt Freeman with skipper Andy Milner adding 3 penalties.

The Extra's came away from Dursley with an emphatic 62-5 victory. Playing against a strong wind in the first half Drybrook showed their intentions by playing loose rugby and it didn't come as a surprise when Ben Steward broke through several tackles to score under the posts, Andy Milner converting. Next to score was winger Matt Freeman, After slick handling from the Drybrook backs creating an overlap Freeman sped through to score Milner converting once more, After this Drybrook sat back and after Dursley applied lots of pressure they scored a try in the corner. This woke Drybrook up and they scored four tries in 10 minutes through Lewis Mitchell, Zak Boothman and 2 from the ever impressive Simon Burke. Drybrook Went into the break 36-5 up. The Second half was much the same with Drybrook dominant in the loose and tight. after 6 minutes in the second half played skipper Andy Milner side stepped his way through the Defence to increase his sides lead and also converting from off the touch line. Matt Freeman completed his hat trick with 2 tries in quick succession using his pace to beat his opposite man. Lewis Mitchell completed the scoring with a move started from the back off the scrum to touch down in the corner. Man of the Match Andy Milner contributed 17 points to the cause.

Drybrook Extras Citizen Merit League 4 game at home to Old Centralians was cancelled as the visitors were unable to raise a team but Ross stepped in to ensure a game did go ahead. It was pretty wet at the Mannings but Drybrook adapted much better to the conditions to run out comfortable winners. Drybrooks first try came from full back Steve Rawlings early in the first half. Quick ball from a line out in the Ross 22 enabling Drybrooks skilful backs to ship the ball out wide for Rawlings to touch down in the corner. Drybrook then soon added a penalty through skipper Andy Milner. After a sustained amount of pressure man of the match Simon Burke burst through several tackles to score a good individual try which was converted by Milner. Drybrooks third try came through Burke after combining well with outside half Milner. Milner converting to give his side a 22-0 advantage. The second half started with Drybrook putting plenty of pressure on the away side, but with several replacements and the pitch turning into a bog Drybrook only added one drop goal from Milner.

Many thanks goes to James Ryder for officiating the game under difficult playing conditions.

Drybrook Extras also continued their winning ways with this comfortable victory at Newent. Drybrook’s tries came from Steve Rawlings, Simon Burke, Chris Tingle, Matt Freeman and Dave Thomas who was playing his first game of the season. Andy Milner converted 2 of the tries. Substitute Lee Wilks came on for his 800^th senior game for Drybrook but he still has some way to go to break the club record of 883 currently held by Roger Hale.

The Extras kept up their good form with a well earned victory at Richian’s Sandyleaze ground. Ben Steward was again influential in Drybrook’s pack and scored one of his team’s tries with Tony Hussey adding the other. Andy Milner completed the scoring by adding one conversion and a penalty

Ben Steward was man of the match for Drybrook and scored both of Drybrook’s tries.
Andy Milner completed the scoring with a penalty, drop goal and 1 conversion

Greg Kiernan was man of the match for Drybrook and he scored one of Drybrook’s four tries. Others came from Steve Virgo, Simon Burke and Tony Hussey with Andy Milner kicking 2 conversions.

With Gloucester Old Boys unable to field a team for the Merit League 4 clash Ross filled the gap and put up a good fight before going down by a single score. The Ross tackling was strong all game and Drybrook found it difficult to break through. Eventually it took a powerful run from prop Jamie Daunter to rescue the situation when he took the ball from a ruck to power over the line despite the close attention of several defenders. Andy Milner converted with an excellent kick into the swirling wind.

Chris Tingle got the extras off to an amazing start when he touched down in under 10 seconds after Westbury were caught cold at the kick off. Rich Probert was up first to take the kick and then he thundered down field before drawing the fullback and off loading to the grateful Tingle. This set the tone for Drybrook and they eased to victory with another 8 tries. Fullback Zac Boothman led the way with a try hat trick with others added by Matt Freeman(2), Rich Probert, Graham Paget and Jamie Wood. Skipper Andy Milner added 8 conversions and a penalty.

Drybrook’s third string were up against the best team they have played so far in League 4 and they could make little impression against the division’s leaders.

Drybrook did well to gain victory against an Old Richians side who promised to be a tough nut to crack judging by the initial encounters in this match. Drybrook just had the edge at half time, leading 12 – 5 and then moved further ahead in the second half but Old Richians had the last say with a converted try just before the end.

For Drybrook, tries came from Andy Milner, Rich Probert, Ryan Phillips and Zac Boothman. Andy Milner also kicked 1 conversion, 1 penalty and 1 drop goal.

This was grass roots rugby at its best as Drybrook eased to a very comfortable victory. On arrival Old Centralians were a couple of players short but were able to loan 2 of Drybrook’s substitutes to make up their team. To compound matters further there was no referee so Drybrook’s Chris Tingle reluctantly stepped into the breach. Matters became even more farcical when it was discovered that no whistle was available so poor Tingle had to referee the game by shouting instructions and by half time he was practically hoarse!At this stage Dave Auker Howlett took over as referee and fortunately a passer by miraculously produced a whistle to the relief of both teams. For Drybrook Zac Boothman scored 2 tries with others coming from Dave Appleby, Dave Auker-Howlett and Simon Burke with Andy Milner adding 4 conversions.

20th October 2007

Citizen Merit League 4

Drybrook Extras 32pts Dursley "B" 7pts.

Drybrook's third string put in a good performance to finally overcome a spirited Dursley outfit who led for a long time in the game.
Dursley crept ahead with a converted try and held this lead well into the second half before Drybrook eventually overwhelmed them with a late burst. For Drybrook impressive centre Zac Boothman scored 2 tries with others coming from Clive Boughton and prop forward Ben Steward who was making his debut for the club. Skipper Andy Milner rounded off the scoring with 2 penalties and 3 conversions

13th October 2007

Friendly

BerryHill Wappers 6pts Drybrook Extras 3pts

A typically tight derby resulted in a narrow victory for the hill men. For Drybrook Andy Milner kicked a drop goal and was unlucky to have a penalty attempt adjudged wide that would have secured his team a draw.

Drybrook Extras nil Cinderford Bucks nil

Both teams fought hard to break the stalemate in this local derby but eventually they had to settle for the rarity of a nil – nil draw. The final score line was surprising as both teams created opportunities but neither was able to convert them into points.

Drybrook Extras 12pts Longlevens “A” 14pts

Drybrook only have themselves to blame for losing this game as they not only gifted the visitors both of their tries but they also had too many players taking the ball too far instead of looking to use the supporting players. Longlevens arrived short and had to loan 2 Drybrook players to make up their numbers. They were also without any recognised props so the scrums had to be uncontested but Longlevens possessed a superior set of backs who kept their team in the game despite living off scraps. To add insult to injury both Longlevens conversions were scored by Drybrook’s Luke Pegler and ultimately this proved to be decisive For Drybrook Tom Maskell and Simon Burke scored tries with Maskell adding 1 conversion.

Both teams scored 2 tries in this game but ultimately it was the superior kicking ability of Ross fullback Chris Gage who made the difference with 2 conversions and a penalty. For Drybrook Jason Wood and Phil Probert were the try scorers with second half substitute fullback Lewis Mitchell looking particularly sharp at full back.

Drybrook should have won this game but their inability to turn pressure into points cost them dearly in the end. Tom Maskell opened Drybrook’s account with a try under the posts but surprisingly missed the simple conversion. Weak tackling in midfield then led to 2 converted tries for Wotton to give them a comfortable lead at the break.

An injury Wotton’s prop forward led to uncontested scrums but despite having one of their most effective aspects of play taken away Drybrook were always on top in the second half. Steve Rawlings crashed over for his team’s second try but despite a number of chances including 2 where the referee was unsighted, Drybrook could not get the all important score.

Drybrook’s best player on the day was second half substitute Jamie Fox who looked particularly sharp.