Drybrook ladies went down to Bath on Sunday to play a very highly respected Bath Ladies side.
After a mix up and change of ref the game kicked off 10 minutes earlier than arranged at 14:35.
A tough Bath side managed to pin Drybrook in their own half fighting to clear their lines.
Drybrook’s defence was outstanding and stopped Bath from crossing their line until finally after 30 minutes Bath got the breakthrough they were working for scoring in the corner. The conversion was missed giving Bath a 5 – 0 lead.
Drybrook worked hard and battled well till the half time whistle blew.
Half Time:
Bath Ladies 5pts
Drybrook Ladies 0pts
The second half kicked off with 3 changes at half time seeing Chanise Beard, Beth Powell and Becca Cooper entering the pitch to replace Shelley Bourne, Karina Hall and Frankie Meadows.
Drybrook seemed to lack belief the first half however the second half was a different story.
Within 5 minutes Ellie Underwood managed to work around the outside of the Bath Defence
and score to the right of the posts bringing the game back to 5 – 5.
Drybrook then lost scrum half Emma Hughes to injury, replaced by Kara Tucker.
Just moments later saw Hannah Meek break right through the middle of the bath back line with a foot race to touch down giving Drybrook the lead 5 – 10.
The conversion was charged down amid great confusion for Drybrook as Bath players had left the line early.
What was a very much defensive first half for Drybrook had turned into an attacking second half.
15 minutes into the second half it was time for Hannah meek to score again for her second try of the match this time under the posts with Ellie converting to make the score 5 – 17.
With just 10 minutes remaining Drybrook had a lineout five meters out from their own line, a loose ball from the lineout and a very reactive Bath Hooker managed to chase through and touch down before Drybrook even knew what had happened bring the score to 10 – 17.
Drybrook played several minutes in the Bath half however the Bath number 10 with her clearance kicks meant that Drybrook were continually working from depth.
A great run from a Bath Winger and a fast defence from Drybrook put Drybrook in control of another lineout several meters out.
The ball was caught brought down and secured however the maul was brought down and Drybrook was forced to play the ball but unfortunately it went loose over the Drybrook line and Bath once again reacted to score their third try of the match this time in range of the goal bringing the game to a close at 17 – 17.
A special mention to Jess Hunt and Kara Tucker who played outstandingly but players of the Match went out too Hannah Meek for her great defence and dynamic running to score two tries and Chanise Beard who came on at half time and really stood out with her relentless work rate around the field.
Drybrook Ladies XV
Lucie Smith, Stevie Liddiatt, Julie Ann Norbury, Roxanne Carter, Karina Hall, Micha Harris, Jessica Hunt, Shelley Bourne, Emma Hughes, Kat Brain, Emma Gibson, Hannah Meek, Ellie Underwood ©, Frankie Meadows, Jude Arslan.
Replacements: Kara Tucker, Lorna Griffiths, Chantel Lewis, Beth Powell, Chanise Beard, Becca Cooper, Olivia Pritchard
Match Photos (Facebook)
