Western Counties North
Drybrook 32
North Bristol 20
DRYBROOK finally achieved their first win of 2011, cheering up their long-suffering supporters with a great performance.
They also clinched their first try scoring bonus point of the season.
There was no hint of what was to come in the opening exchanges, but Drybrook exploded into life with a sixth minute try.
Danny Griffiths scooped up a loose pass off the floor in midfield and crashed through his opposite number, before beating three other defenders on a strong run to the line.
Tom Treherne converted and for the next 10 minutes Drybrook tore into their much bigger opponents, who were clearly caught by surprise.
North Bristol eventually began to use their bigger forwards to good effect and their pressure told with a try near the posts.
Griffiths regained the initiative for Drybrook with another strong run. Treherne was just off target with a penalty, but he made amends from the restart – off-loading to Liam Jackson who brushed off several defenders to touch the ball down in the corner.
North Bristol levelled the scores with a try down the blind side, but Treherne gave Drybrook a 15-12 half-time lead with a penalty.
Ten minutes into the second half centre Dan Cox set up a good position for Drybrook and the ball was quickly recycled to Danny Griffiths, who hit the line at pace and outstripped the covering defence to score wide out.
With their tails up, second-row Dean Large was driven over for the bonus point try.
Treherne hit the post with the conversion.
North Bristol rallied with a penalty and Drybrook lost Treherne to the sin-bin for kicking the ball out of the opposition's scrum.
North Bristol wasted no time in making their advantage tell with a try in the corner.
With five minutes remaining the North Bristol hooker was yellow carded for offside and, with Drybrook now back to full strength, there was only going to be one winner.
A great catch and sustained drive from a line-out led to the impressive Jackson getting his second touchdown.
In the last minute the Bristol number eight was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Drybrook replacement Andy Milner as he cleared for touch. The unfortunate Milner required hospital treatment for his injury.
This was a great performance from all 18 members of Drybrook's squad, but number eight Peter Meek had a big game and full-back Danny Griffiths set the tone for a successful afternoon.
Drybrook: Danny Griffiths, Gareth Morgan, Dan Cox, Aiden Price, Sam Peaper, Chris Rawlings, Tom Treherne, Steve Virgo, Ashley Howells (captain), Dean Jelf, Liam Jackson, Dean Large, Dan Price, Mitch Bourne, Peter Meek. Reps: Mitch Browning, Andy Milner, Ben Warren.