Newbury Top Table in Time for Christmas

Newbury Ladies ran in eleven tries as they scored sixty for the second time in two games. However, with a tough Cup match left before Christmas, the Blues will be aware that they left plenty more on the pitch.

Newbury had been warned not to underestimate bottom of the league Drybrook, and the visitors showed their intent from the off - their signature forwards pick and go earning them the first try of the match.

Having weathered the initial onslaught, Newbury settled down, and began to play their own style of rugby. The first half showcasing the interplay of scrum half Holt, and ten/twelve combination Swinton and Mason, with some beautifully timed passes exploiting gaps in the Drybrook defence.

Lizzie Harris struck first for Newbury - the first of seven first-half tries for the Blues, and two for Harris. To their credit Drybrook - fulfilling their first away game of the season - weren’t letting their heads down, and it was they who had the final say of the half.

The second half began brightly, with Emma Robinson’s powerful running testing the Drybrook defence, before breaking clear for her first of two second half tries.

A debut try for winger Sally Herbert soon followed, after fantastic supporting work allowed her to gain the offload from fullback Harris. A breakaway from outside centre Sophie Dowson made it ten.

Discipline however began to influence the game, a number of penalties allowed Drybrook to gain possession, and use their strong forward pack to work up the pitch. With the momentum in their favour. The visitors scored two successive tries, before Robinson powered through to gain her second.

Newbury now find themselves top of Championship South West 2 just in time for Christmas. The Blues have one Cup game left before the Christmas break - away against Buckingham Swans.

Tries
L. Harris 2
S. Dowson 2
D. Holt 1
E. Swinton 1
K. Smith 1
J. Thripp 1
E. Robinson 2
S. Herbert 1

Conversions
D. Holt 2
C. Hunt 3