Drybrook Rugby Club

Sunday 13th September was a dry and sunny day at the Mannings Drybrook, where the ladies were to host their first league game of the season in south west one which they were newly promoted to. Oakmeadians who had travelled from Bournemouth and were very keen as they arrived 2 hours before kick off. Oakmeadians was in southeast one last year and won the league but due to a league restructure was placed in Southwest one with a point to prove. Drybrook won the toss and decided to play away from the club house. Within 5 minutes great hands across the backs lead to Bethany Powell crossing the line to score a great try in the corner. Unfortunately the distance was too much to ask of Ellie Underwood to convert leaving the score 5 – 0. After 25 minutes Poor Drybrook discipline lead to an Oakmeadians penalty in front of the posts which was kicked to make the score 5 -3 to Drybrook.
Both teams were playing some fast great quality rugby and now was clear that it was going to be

a very close game indeed Jess Hunt worked relentlessly to keep turning over ball in the rucks and making hard tackles. Then just before the half time whistle Ellie Underwood had a fantastic break gaining 30 meters up field with Sarah Bevan in support, an off load to Sarah meant a 20 meter sprint for Sarah Bevan to score, with no kick meant Drybrook was going in to half time with a lead of 10 – 3.
The second half kicked off and Drybrook gathered a great high kick and secured the ball to play deep into Oakmeadians half with Drybrook applying pressure it lead to an Oakmeadians hand in the ruck and a penalty under the posts for Drybrook. Ellie Underwood kicked the penalty to give Drybrook a 10 point lead at 13 – 3. Oakmeadians who were now showing signs of tiring had to defend a very well driven and determined forwards pack and just after 8 minutes the ball was given to the backs and Ellie Underwood made a 50 meter run to score a try under the posts and converting

making the score 20 – 3. However Oakmeadians were not prepared to give up and played some very hard running rugby making Drybrook work extremely hard in defence and then finally from a scrum 10 meters out Oakmeadians created a 2 on 1 and scored in the corner 20 minutes into the second half. The score was now 20 – 8. From the restart the Drybrook forwards worked hard Ellie Underwood had yet again another 50 meter run for the line but unfortunately she got tackled 5 meters out and the ball got turned over. Neither team had given up and everything was still to play for on the 30th minute Ellie received the ball once again this time she went right around the outside of the Oakmeadians backs and came back in to score under the posts with the conversion the score was 27 – 8 and that’s how the game finished.

Forward of the match: Jess Hunt
Back of the match: Ellie Underwood