Sunday 7th February and Drybrook Ladies were off to Newent to play local derby and 4th round of the junior national cup.
The two teams hadn’t played each other for over two years and Drybrook had not beaten Newent to date.
After all the rain over the previous day’s the pitch had held up really well but as the two sides were warming up the heavens opened once again and the water was just sitting on top of the pitch.
Drybrook lost the toss and played away from the changing rooms with the wind behind them. From the kick off Newent caught the ball well but a massive tackle from Emma Gibson proved to Newent that they were not going to be a walk over.
Just 3 minutes in Drybrook was awarded a penalty in front of the posts which Ellie Underwood converted putting Drybrook in the lead.
Both sides making huge tackles from 1 – 15 with Lucie Smith standing out in the forwards by repeatedly tackling Newents strongest player and captain relentlessly.
22 minutes in Drybrooks Molly Teague was sent to the bin for not getting back ten and making a tackle from a tap penalty.
Despite the reduction in numbers Drybrook proceeded to attack Newent keeping them in their own half. The whistle went for half time with Drybrook in the lead 0 – 3.
The second half kicked off with more of the same as the first half with everyone playing with pride and passion.
Then 18 minutes into the second half Drybrooks Kara Tucker who had been having a solid game made a high tackle on the Newent captain seeing her sent to the bin.
Newent trying to use the extra number out wide got them within meters of the try line but Drybrooks great defence saw Newent being driven back and Judith Arslan kicked Drybrook out of trouble.
The game ended with Drybrook attacking Newents line but after a couple of attempts to ground the ball the score remained 0 – 3 to the away side.
Good luck to Drybrook in the next round of the cup.
Drybrook Ladies; Lucie smith, Stevie Liddiatt, Julie Ann Norbury, Roxanne Carter, Karina hall Jess hunt, Marie Grindle, Molly teague, Sarah Bevan, Kat brain (captain) Kara tucker, Ellie underwood, Emma godson, Beth Powell, Judith lack,
Replacements: Chain beard, Sarah teague, Micha Harris, Hannah meek,
Traveling reserves: Gemma Withington, frankie meadows, Olivia Pritchard, Lorna griffiths, Hayley Jones
View match photos here. (facebook).
