Drybrook travelled down to North Petherton RFC for their forth league game of the season it was wet and windy, Pethertons ground is on top of a hill with the wind blowing across the pitch. Drybrook had been beaten at home by Cullompton the week before was keen to secure the win.
Being remembrance Sunday a minutes silence was held prior to the kick off as a mark of respect. Drybrook kicked off and played with the wind behind them. A clean catch from Petherton and a hard hit made Drybrook realise they was going to have to work hard. Several tackles in and Drybrook finally turned over the ball only to find themselves being penalised for hands in the ruck.
Drybrook defended well making tackle after tackle, then once again Drybrook was penalised for an alleged high tackle. By now it was clear to Drybrook they were going to have to work extra hard to compensate for some blatantly bad decisions by the referee. Sarah Teague made a massive tackle on Pethertons Fly half, leading to Sarah being knocked out and taken to hospital suffering from concussion.
The team being worried for her wellbeing knew they had a job to-do for their injured team mate. 20 minutes in and Drybrook had given away roughly ten penalty’s. Then finally there
was light at the end of the tunnel Drybrook managed to turn over a Petherton attacking ruck and got the ball out to the backs, unfortunately the referee felt there was a forward pass much to the disappointment of the Drybrook supporters they were brought back for a scrum.
Drybrook was proving dominant in the scrums causing Petherton to strike their own ball hard to prevent losing against the head. On the 30th Drybrook forwards managed to create a great platform for the backs to run off and this time great hand from Jude Arslan, Kara Tucker, Ellie Underwood lead to Hannah Meek scoring to the right hand side of the sticks. Ellie converted to add the extra points making the score 0 – 7 to Drybrook.
Then on the last play of half time Drybrook was awarded a their first penalty of the game within range Ellie took the kick and bagged the three points taking Drybrook into half time ten points ahead.
The Second half kicked off Drybrook secured the ball and started to play hard and strong into Pethertons half, phase after phase it looked like Drybrook were sure to take control of the second half but once again Drybrook was penalised for not releasing the ball. Every single time Drybrook touched the ball a penalty was awarded to Petherton. 15 minutes in to the
second half Drybrook had managed to keep their cool defending their own line from a five meter penalty a scrum was awarded to Petherton to the left hand side of the posts five meters out. Drybrook won the ball against the head but unfortunately the ball became free and bounced over Drybrooks try line Petherton diving over the top managed to get a hand down to secure five points.
Great work from the forwards fantastic tackles from the backs and outstanding discipline from Drybrook meant no further score was made and the final whistle blew North Petherton 5 – 10 Drybrook.
Drybrooks player of the match went to the person who stood out the most and was awarded to the referee.
Drybrook Ladies: Lucie Smith, Stevie Liddiatt, Julie Ann Norbury, Roxanne Carter, Sarah Teague, Marie Grindle, Micha Harris, Shelley Taylor (capt), Sarah Bevan, Judith Arslan, Beth Powell, Kara Tucker, Ellie Underwood, Hannah Meek, Chanise Beard.
Replacements, Karina Hall, Natasha Kibble, Lucy Meek, Alice Griffin, Frankie Meadows, Amy Yates, Hayley Jones.
Match Photos (Facebook)
