Sat 9 Oct 2021
Cainscross RFC welcomed Drybrook III to Victory park for a top of the table clash.
Following a couple of late withdrawals Cainy started the game with 14 men. Drybrook also had their own issues and were unable to field a front row so the game was played with uncontested scrums. This required a quick rethink of tactics from Cainscross but they again started the game in fine form and found themselves for the first 20 minutes camped in the Drybrook 22. Cainy showed great continuity expertly linked by the skipper, Mark, between impressive forward play and slick back play.
The firm grip Cainy had on the game would soon be their downfall. The team moved away from the game plan and while some one up rugby and speculative passing crept into the game, Drybrook capitalised on an intercept and were first to cross the line making it 7-0.
The game started to become quite scrappy but as Cainy went back to the game plan they retained their dominance, and after some hard graft by the pack the backs, came to the front with a slick moves. Ali split the defence and, showing a quick pair of heels, finished off a well deserved try with Jack adding the extras to bring it level.
Following an injury to Pollard, the visitors made the most of the extra man advantage again going ahead 12-7. With Pollard returning to the field, Cainy dug deep and again returned to the game plan putting the Drybrook team under immense pressure. Drybrook put up a good fight but again the backs managed to unlock the defense and the evergreen Gibbs strolled in for another well deserved try again bringing the scores level.
Cainy looked to force the game again and whilst the defence stood firm in the middle of the park, Drybrook made the extra man count out wide and even with scrambling defence Cainscross again went behind in the game with the score now 19-12. It looked like Cainscross were going to go down to the experienced Drybrook team but with the bumper crowd cheering them on the team dug deep. There was then the introduction of Ben Davis for his first ever game and a clever kick off to restart after the third score from Drybrook. Jack managed to find space between two Drybrook players and as everyone knows never let the ball bounce!! As Drybrook wasted time looking at each other Kaine ran through taking the bouncing ball and running untouched to score. With the score now 19-17 Jack stepped up and slotted what would be the last points of the game and a frustrating draw for the Amber and Blue.
It was a dominant team performance and while anyone could have picked up Man of the Match, it went to Ali. Special mention to Pollard who returned to the pitch following what was later found to be a fractured ankle. We wish him a speedy recovery.
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