Drybrook Rugby Club

Old Leamingtonians Ladies 17pts
Drybrook Ladies 17pts

From the first whistle the home side made their intentuions clear using their strong ball carrying number 8 to get them on the front foot which gave them the impetus to throw all they had at Drybrook. On a warm dry day and no replacements the continued defensive effort finally could not hold out and Old Leamingtonians crossed the try line to take a 5 -0 lead.
This seemed to spur Drybrook on and they had a period of sustained pressure but a loose pass or knock on thwarted the attacks. But confidence was clear to be seen and with 10 minutes of the first half to play Captain Stevie Liddiatt took a pass just inside the opposition half and went past 4 defenders to score, the conversion was missed making the half time score 5-5.

The second half started with Drybrook on the front foot but whenever they got in a good position the attack was thwarted by some strange refereeing decisions giving a penalty to the home side. Drybrook still stayed focused and eventually the pressure told and Stevie Liddiatt crashed over for her second try after a

strong carry by Julie-Ann Norbury who was stopped just short of the line, the conversion was missed leaving the visitors 5-10 up.
With still plenty of time in the second half to play the home side came straight back and started to use their backs, the defence from Drybrook was strong but with no replacements it became draining and eventually the home side scored to make it 12-10 kicking the conversion.
Eventually the frustrations around some refereeing decisions told and Drybrook had a player sent to the sin bin, 14 players no replacements and a warm day would wilt most sides but Drybrook went on the offensive holding on to the ball for sustained periods. Sin bin over and with the clock ticking the ball was moved out to the backs with outside half Judith Lack dummying the pass and beating 3 defenders to score under the posts. Converted by Julie-Ann Norbury, the visitors were 12-17 up. Old Leamingtonians having made regular changes bringing on fresh legs threw all they had at Drybrook and a good break by their full back put them in a good attacking position which eventually they took and scored to the left of the post making it 17-17 the conversion was missed. Both teams had opportunites late on but

couldn’t capitalise before the final whistle and the game ending in a draw.
Drybrook should take enormous credit for their efforts against a side that finished runners up last season. To travel with only 15 players and 5 of which were new to the game the effort and enthusiasm shown was fantastic. The foundations were laid up front by Lucie Smith, Stevie Liddiatt and Julie-Ann Norbury. Scrum half Lucie Moore had a great game at 9 as did Judith Lack at 10. Playing out of position Judith was complimented by Lauren Butcher and Emilie Radley in the centres carrying well numerous times. Every player could get a mention due to the effort put in by all but a special mention to Clare McKenna and Ivy Benjamin playing their first full contact game of rugby and did a great job.

Lots of positives to take from the game and also areas to work on.

Thanks to the supporters who travelled to cheer the ladies on.

Players of the match were forward Stevie Liddiatt and back Jude lack.