Drybrook Ladies first match of Championship 2 SW was a massive success despite the pressure and the nerves of the new league and higher standard of rugby, all the summer hard work had paid off with 52- 5 victory at the Manning’s.
Drybrook ladies looked on fire as they blew away Wimbledon on home turf on a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon. The game started very even and Wimbledon looked to unnerve the new side to the league, however after only 6 minutes, Inside Centre Hannah Meek out stepped her opposition and won a 50 meter dash to the try line to score the first try of the game for Drybrook. Just moments later a perfectly executed front catch and drive lineout 10 meters away from Wimbledon’s try line lead to Micha Harris scoring a second try of the day. Drybrook was surly the dominant team in every way from scrummaging to lineouts and speed, skill in the back line. Quick hands from Emma Hughes at the breakdown and the ball found outside centre Ellie Underwood which had a lot to do but with her strength she managed to shake of a defender and score under the posts converting to take the score up to 17 -0 to the home side. Drybrook ladies were moving the ball from right to left and were keeping the ball alive very well indeed.
On the 24th minute Drybrook was once again in an attacking position the ball went across to the right wing then come back, to just to the right
of the posts when a beautiful pass from Kat Brain put tight head prop Julie Ann Norbury in to score under the posts for Ellie to once again convert. Just 2 minutes later Ellie Underwood managed to intercept a Wimbledon ball and score her second of the game adding the extras to bring the score to 31 – 0. From the restart Carla Brown caught a high ball and managed to get within 10 meters of the try line offloading to support winger Emma Gibson scoring the 6th try of the match drawing the first half to a close Drybrook 38 – 0 Wimbledon.
The second half kicked off, Drybrook seemed to relax a little, one replacement was made at half time with Frankie Meadows coming off and Beth Lawrence coming on to the wing to play her first Drybrook Ladies Game. Shortly after the kick off Micha Harris came off and Shelley Bourne replaced her at number 8. 10 Minutes into the second half skipper Ellie Underwood managed to break the defensive line yet again and score under the posts adding the conversion to increase the lead to 45-0. On the 15th minute of the second half it was Wimbledon’s chance to add there name to the score sheet with a breakaway try. Finally the last score of the match came from Ellie which forced Wimbledon to retire due to losing two players to injury with 10 minutes left to play, the final score was 52 -5.
A fantastic start to the new season.
Forward of the match was Karina Hall for her strength and physicality up front.
Back of the match went to Frankie Meadows for her sheer determination.
Drybrook Ladies Squad: Lucie Smith, Stevie Liddiatt, Julie Ann Norbury, Roxanne Carter, Karina Hall, Carla Brown, Jessica Hunt, Micha Harris, Emma Hughes, Kat Brain, Emma Gibson, Hannah Meek, Ellie Underwood, Frankie Meadows, Judith Arslan.
Replacements Shelley Bourne, Carla Jenkins, Chanise Beard, Natasha Kibble, Lauren Hill, Becca Cooper, Beth Lawrence.
View match photos here. (facebook).