Drybrook Rugby Club

Drybrook Ladies travelled down to Cullompton to play for the top of the league spot.
Drybrook needed a win or a draw to finish top, however Cullompton needed to win with a bonus point to secure the title.
Both teams had entered South West One at the beginning of 2015/2016 season so have achieved a lot to be competing for the title.
Drybrook arrived at 12 o’clock for a 230 kick off so had plenty of time to prepare. With the sun shining it was sure to be great conditions for running rugby.
Drybrook kicked off playing away from the club house and Jess Hunt immediately applied pressure to the catcher from the off. You could feel the pressure from both sides as a lot was at stake.
Both sides were carrying well through the forwards and with both playing well structured rugby there was not much between the two sides.
Drybrook playing tight forward rugby would gain a lot of territory. However when a turnover occured Cullompton backs moved the ball

quickly to find their strong running full back and work their way back up the field.
12 minutes in Judith Arslan, Drybrooks 10, kicked the ball high which Ellie Underwood chased and caught with space. She managed to break through the defence and score under the posts which she also converted to give Drybrook the lead.
Just moments after Drybrook were awarded a penalty in front of the posts which they chose to take quickly unfortunately despite all the hard work Drybrook were kept away from the line.
Julie Ann Norbury was very dangerous with the ball along with many others but no further score came until four minutes before half time when great hands from Cullompton put them in the corner with a chance to level the scores.However, the conversion was missed leaving the score 7-5 going into the break.
The second half kicked off and once again neither side were prepared to give in. Drybrook had to defend franticly as Cullompton gained possession and continued to attack

Drybrook worked very hard indeed to defend and managed to hold strong and a massive tackle from Ellie forced her opponent into touch to close out the game.

Drybrook are now South West One champions.

Forward of the match went to Julie Ann Norbury and Back of the Match went to Sarah Beven.

Drybrook Ladies XV; Lucie Smith, Stevie Liddiatt, Julie Ann Norbury, Roxanne Carter, Marie Grindle, Micha Harris, Jess Hunt, Molly Teague, Sarah Beven, Judith Arslan, Emma Gibson, Kara Tucker, Ellie Underwood, Hannah Meek, Katryn Brain (c)
Replacements; Karina Hall, Shelley Bourne, Bethany Powell, Gemma Withington, Hayley Jones, Natasha Kibble, Lorna Griffiths. Frankie Meadows, Chantal Lewis, Olivia Pritchard.

Match Photos (Facebook)