IT'S unwise to write off Drybrook. A fine club with a proud tradition, there's one racing certainty – they will be back!
Pounded by Barton Hill on Saturday, Drybrook ended with 14 players and a list of injuries which will keep the club physio, the local surgery and the Dilke casualty unit busy for the next month.
"It's ironic. We have a strong club with plenty of players and even subs for the second and third teams. But we are desperately short of front five players good enough to compete at first team level," says club chairman Paul Mason.
"During the close season we lost a string of players who decided to retire and so far this season we have suffered injury after injury – and always, it seems, to players who are in vital positions and where we are thin on the ground.
"We have a young team and a very small front five. It means we have to live off scraps of possession. But as players return from injury I'm sure things will improve and while we are not going to win the league will not stay bottom."
Among the players already making an impression, outside-half Aiden Price and centre Dan Cox are improving game on game. Captain and flanker Lee Ward is a hugely committed player and Sam Peaper and Liam Jackson are hardworking young forwards tipped for bright futures.
"We have a lot of 17 and 18 year-olds who I feel sure will make the grade. But for the moment we have to struggle. It is something that happens to every club from time to time but I'm positive we will be back," says Paul.
Drybrook's only points on Saturday came from an Aaron Ryder penalty. It was their fourth successive defeat but they have picked up two losing bonus points – a sign that they are not too far off the pace.