It was a chilly,overcast day as Kingswood U13 girls hosted their second home game. This time the travelling side were Drybrook.
Drybrook started the game but a great tackle by Grace Veitch sent the ball flying loose. This was quickly picked up by Katie Hodge. A few infringements occurred which resulted in a tap ball for Kingswood. Grace took the tap passing the ball to Tia Witcombe who charged up the field making some great ground. The ball was expertly popped to Grace again who charged over the line scoring the first Try of the game. Katie Hodge put the opposition immediately under pressure from the restart , causing them to Knock the ball on, giving Kingswood the scrum put in. Drybrook tackled well resulting in the ball being turned over to their advantage. Great tackling by Tia and Katie prevented an instant score but eventually Drybrook found their way over the try-line, scoring their first points of the game. Drybrook then quickly broke through Kingswood’s defence giving them a quick second try. Again, Drybrook picked up a loose ball and scored quickly, now leading 3-1.
From the restart Kingswood retained possession of the ball showing some great passing by Gabby Norman and Maizie Davis, also well presented ball by Tia and Amy Hodge helped Kingswood to make their way up the field. The momentum continued with great passing and support from Chloe Riley, Grace, Gabby, Paige and Maizie, eventually a pass to Tia saw her power over the try-line, making the score now 3-2. Drybrook quickly scored the next two tries after breaking through Kingswood’s defence, making the score now 5-2.
It looked like Kingswood may make some ground after a loose ball pick up from Lottie Marsden but Drybrook managed to turn the ball over and scored a further try. From the restart Drybrook were right on the Kingswood side putting them under pressure, great mauling by Chloe saw Kingswood retain possession and get awarded the scrum put in. A loose ball was brilliantly retrieved by Amy Hodge and passed to Tia and Chloe along the line. The ball was loose again this time retrieved by Paige who popped it to Chloe who scored her first try now making the score 6 -3. Drybrook scored straight from the restart running straight through the Kingswood defence putting them well in the lead 7 -3. Kingswood passed the ball well in the next phase of the game but unfortunately lost possession of the ball. Drybrook were now making good ground but a great tackle by Lottie Marsden slowed them down, allowing Kingwood to regroup. A forward pass by Drybrook gave Kingswood the scrum put in. Again great passing by Katie, Tia and Grace saw Kingswood making ground. A high tackle on Katie Hodge meant Kingswood were awarded a penalty not far from the score line. Grace passed the ball to Hope which looked like Kingswood would score but the ball was knocked loose and picked up by Drybrook who ran the length of the pitch to score, now making it 8 – 3.
Kingswood took the restart by storm which resulted in Grace scoring a try after a great pass from Paige. The next few minutes play resulted in Drybrook scoring two further tries bringing the half time score to 10 – 4.
The second half started strongly with Grace charging up the pitch making some great ground, a loose ball then saw Drybrook back in possession but with Maizie and Hope applying pressure Drybrook made a forward pass giving Kingswood a great chance of scoring . Drybrook then offside gave Kingswood more ground and a penalty. Unfortunately, Kingswood then got penalised for a forward pass, giving Drybrook a chance of clawing some ground back. A great tackle by Maizie Davis sent the ball loose. Drybrook picked the ball up first and managed to get past the Kingswood defence and score a try. Drybrook then scored another quick try from the restart. Kingswood faught back with some great passing, eventually the ball getting to Tia who scored a try. Drybrook were finding it harder to break through the Kingswood defence with some great tackling by Amy, Lottie, Hope, Tia and Paige. Drybrook fought back and were rewarded with a try. Great passing and support from Hope, Chloe, Gabby and Katie resulted in Tia scoring a try for Kingswood. From the restart Kingswood were quick in getting the ball to Tia who scored a further try, making the score this half 3 -3. Drybrook scored a quick try making the score 4 – 3.
Kingswood, playing well as a team, passed the ball between themselves and supported each other well, with Paige picking up a loose ball and powering over the try-line, scoring a try to level the score this half once again. Big tackles from Tia, Paige and Grace put the Drybrook side under pressure resulting in a Kingswood scrum put in. Drybrook managed to turn the ball over and score again putting them in the lead 5 -4. Kingswood needing to level the score again, managed to do so from the restart with the ball being passed from Tia to Paige, who broke through the Drybrook defence scoring a levelling try. From the off Kingswood put Drybrook under pressure and some great tackling from Hope and Paige resulted in the ball finally getting to Grace who powered over the line to score a try, now putting Kingswood in the lead 6 -5 in this half. Drybrook scored another quick try straight from the restart again making the score level. A strong run by Tia made lots of ground and passed the ball to Hope, who ran through the last few defenders, scoring a try, putting Kingswood back in the lead.
With only a few minutes remaining Hope and Katie put in some great tackles forcing Drybrook to make an error of a forward pass, giving Kingswood possession of the ball. Drybrook managed to knock the ball loose and gain possession, now storming up the pitch. A powerful tackle by Katie Hodge stopped Drybrook from making too much ground and with pressure being applied by the rest of the Kingswood side Drybrook made a forward pass. Katie took a quick tap and had a great run through the Drybrook defence, but lack of support from the Kingswood side when Katie was finally tackled meant that Drybrook easily retrieved the ball and stormed up the pitch to score a try and put them again in the lead this half. With just a minute left, Kingswood took the tap but after some scrappy passing Drybrook were awarded a scrum from which they won the ball and scored a try. Making the score this half, 8 – 6 to Drybrook.

The overall score was Drybrook 18 – Kingswood 10.
Most improved player was awarded to two people, Chloe and Hope.
Player of the match Tia
Well done girls you definitely improved in the second half!