Drybrook Rugby Club

St Marys Old Boys 17pts
Drybrook 19pts

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Drybrook Ladies turned up at a sun drenched St Marys Old Boys for what was arguably their most important game to date yet.
Drybrook who have entered the league structure for the first time this season were facing the two last away games with a chance of finishing top of the league.
Drybrook won the toss and elected to play downhill away from the sun.
Drybrook worked hard but could not break the SMOB defence as they were a very well structured side indeed.
After 7 minutes SMOB managed to break through the Drybrook defence to get the first points on the board with a converted try under the posts
Drybrook attacked with numerous forward drives but could not get a score on the board.
Five metres out from the SMOB line Drybrook were held up three times and eventually SMOB cleared their lines.
After 18 minutes a loose ball collected by Ellie Underwood lead to Drybrooks first try of the match to level the scores at 7pts each.
SMOB were relentless in attack and made Drybrook work hard to keep the score level as the end of the first half approached.

However the last play of the first half ended in a score from Sarah Teague, successfully converted by Ellie Underwood.

Half Time:
St Marys OB 7pts
Drybrook 14pts

The second half started with SMOB kicking to Drybrook who secured the ball well and started to attack heavily.
Once again Drybrook could not break the SMOB defensive line.
SMOB were awarded penalty after penalty for alleged high tackles and collapsed mauls, resulting in Drybrook having to defend their line for the next 10 minutes.
Eventually SMOB scored to close the gap on Drybrook, but with no conversion the score was now 12pts -14pts to Drybrook.
SMOB continued to press and were awarded yet another penalty 10 meters out from the Drybrook line.
SMOB knocked the ball on as they took a quick tap penalty and a bit of good will from the referee meant they were allowed to re-set and go again.
20 minutes into the half SMOB crossed the

Drybrook try line again but could not add the conversion, making the score 17pts – 14pts to SMOB.
Drybrook were not beaten yet with but every decision seeming to go against them.
They battled on but numerous injuries meant all the replacements were on the field.
It was all or nothing now and with Chanise Beard in the sin bin for an alleged high tackle the last 12 minutes were going to be tough for Drybrook.
With 10 minutes left on the clock a well worked Drybrook maul lead to Lucie Smith crossing the line to put Drybrook back in the lead 17pts – 19pts.
With only five minutes left on the clock SMOB broke the Drybrook line and were only stopped 30 meters from the line by a massive Ellie Underwood tackle.
Unfortunately the referee deemed the tackle illegal and Ellie spent the remainder of the game in the bin.
With just a minute to go Chanise Beard was allowed to return to the field to help Drybrook defend their lead.
After what seemed to be forever Chanise kicked the ball out to touch to end a nail biting game and yet another victory for Drybrook.

Next week Drybrook make the long trip to play Yeovil. A big victory there will determine if Drybrook finish top of the league.