EXPECT an extra special effort from Drybrook this Saturday. Top of the county's premier league, they face a formidable test of their credentials when they flit across the county to Stroud's Fromehall Park.

Unbeaten in their last six outings, Stroud will not want to give an inch to their Forest rivals who now head the league on points difference from Bristol side Frampton Cotterell. They will be locked in battle with neighbouring Southmead, the league's third-placed team.

The two epic matches may not decide the league but in each case they could give impetus and confidence to the winners.

Drybrook chairman Paul Mason is well aware of the importance of both games but insists his club, even if they win, will not get carried away. There is, he says, a long way to go and having been runners-up last season he does not want to make predictions.

Mason, however, admits his club and the First XV are going well.

"We have a few players back, we are injury free and we try to play an intense game. We tend to wear teams down after about an hour," he said.

The team has benefited from the return of captain Simon Rugman following an injury and has been strengthened by the excellent form of scrum-half Carl Moore – a player, says Mason, opponents find hard to pin down.

Moore's usual partner is the improving Ben Large who, with winger Sam Peaper, has won a place in the County's under 20s squad. Recently injured, Large will be out of action until next month and was replaced on Saturday by Chris Rawlings who was celebrating his 40th birthday!

Among the pack a player to impress yet again was lock Marcus Cowles. "His physical presence and weight in the scrum helps to give us an edge," says Mason.

Drybrook tries were scored by Rugman (2), Carl Moore, Luke Fisher, Nick Ovens, Danny Price and a penalty try. The remainder came from the reliable boot of Mitch Baldwin.