With the autumnal sunshine beaming down on Raleigh Park, Withycombe Ladies welcomed Bristol-based Thornbury to Devon for a friendly match.
The visitors opened up the scoring in Clubhouse Corner after just three minutes for an early five-point lead. A few minutes later, they found themselves back up inside the Withy 22’ once again, forcing an early defensive game from the Withies; a game they haven’t had much experience of so far this season.
With the tackles coming in quick succession, Withies Forward, Paula Jackson was forced to take a ten-minute break after being sent to the sin bin for a high tackle.
Undeterred but the reduction in numbers, the Withy Ladies would be the next to score after a great solo run from Georgia Skelly made 60 yards before offloading the ball to Laurie Ranft, who would in turn pass out to debutant Rebecca Ramsden to level the scores.
Thorbury responded with a period of pressure to regain the lead but Withy came back with another break from Skelly to fin Devona Thompson, who scored beside the posts to once again level the scores. Once again, Thornbury scored next and, once again, Withycombe replied with a Charlotte Leckie try.
As the second half got underway, the visiting side really started to turn the screw as they would use the whole team to good use, using their speed, strength and quick recycling of the ball to score four quick tries over the course of the third quarter, suddenly opening up a 24-point gap.
Withy found some energy for a thrilling finish, scoring two tries in the final quarter, the first coming from a quick tap penalty by Bridget Culver who would set up Laurie Ranft to skip through the defence and score next to the posts for a converted try. The second saw yet another break from the determined Georgia Skelly who set up Paula Jackson to score
A terrific match saw a full-time score of Withycombe 27 Thornbury 44. Withy Ladies are next in action when they welcome the Cullompton Development XV to Raleigh Park on December 12.
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