Though it is not quite the end of the season (the tour to Portugal is still to take place) I thought it an ideal opportunity to pen a few words in light of the tremendous progress we have made both on and off the field.

Captain Neil Morgan, Coach Paul Hudson, Assistant Coach Chris Rawlings, Manager Alan Miles and all of the 1st XV players and support volunteers deserve a pat on the back for maintaining our Western Counties League status next season.

This was of course achieved with an injury crisis, the likes of which we have never had before, or want to see again. Skipper Neil Morgan along with Chris Thomas, Leon Meek and Andy Reid sustained career ending injuries and whilst we all commiserate with their plight we also salute them for their efforts for Drybrook and wish them all well for the future.

On the field the 1sts won the Chepstow Tens Tankard as well as reaching the Gloucestershire Area Final of the RFU Level 7 cup.

Victory in the Gloucestershire Intermediate Cup Final on April 7th and a mid table finish in the Western Counties League were the highlights of the season.

There were some notable scalps along the way and some really good rugby played when the side was near full strength but injuries and the fixture back log caused by the snow eventually took their toll.

The United and Extras also suffered because of the injury crisis but a mid table finish in Division 1 of the Citizen Merit League for the United XV was a very good achievement given the circumstances.

The Extras did not do as well as anticipated after storming to the league title last season but nevertheless maintained Division 3 status for next term. Managers Gordon Bourne, Dan Large, Ady Brown and skippers Sean Bourne, John Jeffs and Chris Tingle also deserve a vote of thanks for their efforts throughout the season.

The junior section has done very well indeed with the Under 16’s and Under 12’s both winning their Gloucestershire County Plate finals. The under 13’s were unlucky to just miss out on a county final and the lower age group teams have also performed well, most notably the under 11’s.

The girls section has had a host of representative honours plus their fair share of victories throughout the season. Once again they have had players involved in the international squads.
Off the field the club were awarded the referee’s society Whistler Shield for the first time which is a tremendous honour for the club and reward for everyone who has done their bit to improve the club’s image.

The club continues to do well financially and plans for the grandstand have reached an advanced stage. The club has also begun working towards the Whole Club Seal of Approval and should we attain this status then we really will have come a long way in recent years.

Next season will see a new structure for the second and third team leagues and a sprinkling of exciting new fixtures in the Western Counties League for the 1st XV.

There is much to look forward to with a new club captain in Lee Ward, a continuation of the sponsorship agreement with Dave “Green Army” Morgan, and the likelihood of several new players to add to the squad.

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