Drybrook RFC under 12s fielded a very experienced team, with several new signings from John Kyrle High School, when they were at home to Upton Upon Severn under 12s, on November 30th.

It was a typically freezing morning at the Mannings ground but Drybrook's debutants all acquitted themselves well. The hosts had enough players to field two sides; so two short games were played.

Drybrook 33 - Upton Upon Severn 0

In the first match Drybrook started fast and furiously, while Upton seemed intimidated. Within two minutes left winger Luke Johnson raced through the defence to record his first try for Drybrook.

Soon fullback Rhys Chandler matched him down the right side and then scrum half Connor Gardiner grounded the ball after an Upton fumble.

The second half was less one-sided, Upton made good ground with penalty kicks into touch and tackled better as they warmed up. However, any team would struggle against second row, Will Greenway, on the charge, and he eventually dived over to increase the Forester's lead.

Outside centre Jack Davies then capped an impressive first day at Drybrook by scything past the defence for his debut try. Rhys Chandler converted four of the tries.

Drybrook 26 - Upton Upon Severn 0

The second match seemed a tad less uneven, but Upton just couldn't breach fortress Drybrook. Loaned number eight Will Biggs showed his Drybrook teammates no favours, barging through tackles in fine style but the Forester's structure held firm.

Newcomer Max Pye made several good breaks: the best of which, from inside his own half, saw him tackled two metres from Upton's tryline, laying the ball back well; winger Hugh Rimmer grabbed it and dived over to open the scoring.

Tom Sime cut through for the Forester's second score, but Upton then camped on the Drybrook tryline for the rest of the half, kept out only by resolute tackling.

Drybrook stalwart Shaun Carter made ground with a rampaging charge after half time but Harry Abbott claimed his debut try, speeding down the wing to extend the home team's lead.

Luke Roberts wrapped up the win with a typically forthright burst through the defence while in his own half. He scorched down the hill to the line. Tom Sime kicked three of the conversions.

Drybrook squad: Harry Abbott, Kieran Auker-Howlett, Will Biggs, Shaun Carter, Rhys Chandler, George Cinderey, Tom Cooper, Jack Davies, Ben Evans, Connor Gardiner, Will Greenway, Alex Iles, Luke Johnson, Charlie Kibble, Keir Palmer-Smith, Max Pye, Aidan Pope, Hugh Rimmer, Luke Roberts, Tom Sime, Jordan Taylor, Ashley Wallace and Tom Woodman