Drybrook Rugby Club

On the 1st of November 2015 Drybrook were the hosts to Cullompton Ladies. Cullompton had been promoted after five continuous years of topping their league Cullompton have a point to prove in South West One. Drybrook had not lost a home fixture for over 18 months and were keen to keep that record. Cullompton kicked off towards the club house on what was a very warm sunny Autumn afternoon.
Drybrook looked a little taken back within the first few phases as Cullompton were starting very strong indeed. Not one missed tackle from Cullompton kept driving Drybrook backwards. Not looking their usual self’s Drybrook were on the back foot now defending with all they got but within the first four minutes Cullompton had crossed the line with no conversion it was now 0 – 5 to the away side. Drybrook who was not used to an early score against them were determined to pull the game back some great rugby by both teams showed Drybrook attacking Cullompton phase after phase.
A turn over 10 meters out from the try line by Lucie Smith and quick hands sent Stevie Liddiatt crossing the line on the 12th minute showing that Drybrook were not going to go down without a fight. The score was now 5 – 5 with everything to play for. With both sides playing hard hitting rugby and defending very well indeed the next score came at the 24th minute with Cullompton scoring and converting to take the lead once again at 5 – 12. With 8 minutes left on the clock of the first half Drybrook were keen to even the scores working relentlessly to create turnovers. Then Drybrook’s 10 Kat Brain sprained her ankle and was carried

off the pitch which saw Hannah Meek enter the pitch. Hannah who has been with the under 18s and is now of age to play senior rugby was entering the field for her first ever game of senior rugby. On the 30th minute A turn over and a kick down field a 50 meter sprint and a very lucky bounce saw Cullompton score their 3rd try of the match directly under the posts adding the conversion the score went into half time at 5 – 19 to the away side.

Drybrook kicked off and chased the ball Cullompton knocked on for a Drybrook scrum. Cullompton managed to steel the ball and set off once again for the try line just two minute into the second half Cullompton were on the score board again with yet another try and conversion making the score 5 – 26. With hard work and determination Drybrook playing their hearts out managed to defend their line well and on the 15th minute Ellie Underwood done what she does best and found some space out wide to score an unconverted try making the score 10 – 26 still within grasp Drybrook knew they would have to work to at least get within 15 points for a losing bonus point. On the 24th minute Cullompton punished Drybrook yet again with another try making the score 10 -31. Drybrook have never been down by so many points and would find it really hard to come back from this deficit. However Drybrook worked hard from the kick off and within 1 minute of the last score new player Hannah Meek scored under the posts Ellie converted 17 – 31 Drybrook had got within the 15 points for a losing bonus point but not happy with that they worked yet again from the kick off and on the 30th minute of the second half a driving maul

over the line showed Jess Hunt adding her name to the score board Ellie converted leaving 5 minutes left of the game and the score at 24 – 31 suddenly everything was left to play for with five minutes left and one converted score to tie the game. Then with Drybrook attacking the Cullompton line two minutes left Drybrook were fully in control and hitting hard when the game was stopped due to a Cullompton player breaking their leg in three places. The Game was moved to the top pitch and re started with a Drybrook scrum unfortunately the move decreased the momentum and it was Cullompton turn to attack with only a minute left on the clock. Final hands in the ruck from Drybrook meant Cullompton was awarded a penalty and they kicked it dead to end the game.

Drybrook send their best wishes to the Cullompton player who broke her leg and Kat Brain who was taken to hospital with a sprained ankle and wish them both a speedy recovery.

Players of the match for Drybrook was Marie Grindle and Hannah Meek.

Drybrook Ladies XV: Lucie Smith, Stevie Liddiatt, Julie Ann Norbury, Roxanne Carter, Sarah Teague, Marie Grindle, Jess Hunt, Shelley Bourne (Captain), Sarah Bevan, Kat Brain, Beth Powell, Micha Harris, Ellie Underwood, Kara Tucker, Judith Arslan,
Replacements: Natasha Kibble, Karina Hall, Jenna Large, Chanise Beard, Hannah Meek, Lucy Meek, Frankie Meadows, Lorna Griffiths, Chantal Lewis, Olivia Pritchard, Alice Griffin.