Drybrook Ladies played host to Topsham ladies on the 29th November 2015. Drybrook who are joint top were set to play bottom of the league Topsham at home in what was dreadful conditions with rain and high winds. Drybrook won the toss and chose to play with the wind behind them receiving the kick off. A knock on by Drybrook meant the first phase of the game was going to be a Topsham scrum. Great pressure from Drybrook and a drop ball from Topsham lead to Ellie Underwood crossing the line In the corner for the first try of the match in just 4 minutes. Drybrook seemed to be the stronger side but with Topsham controlling most of the ball Drybrook found their self’s-defending hard then finally with a turn over ball Ellie Underwood managed to cross the line for her second try of the match on the 14th minute giving Drybrook a 10 – 0 lead. Hard work from both teams proved that this game was far from over. With only 4 minutes left on the clock Julie Ann Norbury found herself in the bin for what
Players of the match went to Kara Tucker and Julie Ann Norbury. Drybrook Ladies XV; Lucie Smith, Natasha Kibble, Julie Ann Norbury, Roxanne Carter, Molly Teague, Marie Grindle, Jessica Hunt, Shelley Bourne (capt), Sara Bevan, Judith Arslan, Kara Tucker, Ellie Underwood, Emma Gibson, Hannah Meek, Chanise Beard. Replacements, Bethany Powell, Karina Hall, Gemma Withington, Hayley Jones, Alice Griffin, Frankie Meadows, Lorna Griffiths, Chantel Lewis.
the referee felt was a high tackle from great line speed off the back of a lineout. Just 2 minutes left till full time it was Topsham turn to score taking them into half time 10 – 5 down.
The second half kicked off and it seemed like Drybrook was defeated and Topsham were on top and within 3 minutes Topsham managed to cross the line for their second try of the match bringing the score even at 10 – 10. 12 minutes in and Julie Ann Norbury returned to the field making a massive impact on the game and the spirits amongst the Drybrook team, who had just lost Jess Hunt to injury and were starting to look like heads were dropping. Great work from the Drybrook pack and an amazing attack from centre Kara Tucker 14 minutes into the second half lead to newbie Emma Gibson scoring her second try in only three games giving Drybrook the lead once again making the score 15 – 10. 5 minutes later Scrum half Sarah Bevan scored to increase the lead to 20 – 10.
But unfortunately Drybrook’s Hannah Meek was next to fall injured with a massive shoulder barge seeing her crashing to the floor and being removed from the pitch with suspected head and neck injury. The game ended with Drybrook winning 20 – 10 fully looking forward to the return fixture.