DRYBROOK arrived at the impressive Devizes ground with several changes to the regular team and they took a while to get into their stride, writes Chris Tingle.

The home team kicked off and made a positive start to the game earning an early penalty with Drybrook caught off-side. The home team’s outside half slotted the kick and followed this up with another to take the Devizes team into a six point lead after 10 minutes played.

The Drybrook boys were struggling for cohesion – several early lineouts went astray and there seemed to be a lack of urgency with a lot of unforced errors adding to their woes. 

Drybrook were further hampered when Jordan Taylor had to leave the field after a knock to the head and Mitch Hale had to come on in the unaccustomed position of second-row

They needed a spark to ignite them and it came in the form of Bradley Morgan who followed up a fine break from Sonny Greenman to take the pass and cross for Drybrook’s first try after 25 minutes. Callum Daly added the extra two points and the visitors took the lead.  

Drybrook now moved up a gear and started to play a more expansive game. The scrum was again the source of good possession and the backs used it well to create space for winger Max Cornford to go over the whitewash. Daly added the extras to give Drybrook a 14-6 lead at the break.

Drybrook started the second half with much more energy than they had the first and it took only two minutes for them to add to their tally following a fine try from scrum-half Sam Moreton-Smith. Daly was again accurate with the boot and the visitors opened the gap between the two sides 21-6.

Devizes, who have had a difficult start to the season continued to battle away, but the pace and power of the Drybrook team was taking its toll and it wasn’t long before they scored their bonus point try through captain Mitch Bourne. Daly split the uprights and the visitors were out of sight. The game continued in much the same vein, Drybrook looking to attack from anywhere and Devizes trying their best to hang in the game. There was time for one more try from Max Cornford before the final whistle and Drybrook had gained another good bonus point victory away from home at 33-6

Although the start was slow this was a good test of the Drybrook squad with several regular players unavailable, the lads who came in performed well and Drybrook moved to second place in the league before their next match at home to Winscombe.

The backs played some great rugby with Brad Morgan and Danny Price combining well in the centres and Max Cornford finishing the game with two well taken tries on the wing.

Player of the match was fullback Sonny Greenman whose pace and agility caused problems for the home team all afternoon.

The hospitality of the Devizes club was fantastic and we look forward to hosting them in January. 

Drybrook: Dean Jelf, Mikey Addis, Louis Morgan, Glenn Nott,  Jordan Taylor, Casey Morgan, Fenton Bourne, Mitch Bourne, Sam Morton-Smith, Callum Daly, Luke Roberts, Brad Morgan, Danny Price, Max Cornford. Replacements: Mitch Hale, Ryan Chappell, Cai Rogers.