A squad of 22 Panthers travelled to Horden on Sunday to face the strongest team in the league. Horden, who were unbeaten, had not conceded a try in the league all season and the novice Panthers team were always going to face an uphill task against a side who had played together since under 13's.
However the score does not truly reflect one of the most bruising encounters Horden have had all season and they had to work for every one of their tries. The scene after 13 minutes when three injured Panthers left the field simultaneously to make way for replacements was described by one of the Panthers coaches as like a scene from the Somme!
Horden's forwards met wave after wave of Panthers defenders often having to go through 12 or 13 phases before sucking in enough Panthers players to allow their lightning fast backs to go round the outside.
The Panthers never gave up and eventually forced a score in the second half through scrum-half Rachel White following a strong run from the back of the scrum by number eight Katie Shanley.
Bowed but not dispirited the Panthers more than held their own in the post-match festivities and enjoyed a lively coach ride back to Preston Avenue where the carousing continued after they were informed by their lead coach, Andy Wilkinson that they had been chosen as the Northumberland RFU's team of the month for December! Well done all.
For all would be players Percy Park Panthers are a new team that are fully inclusive, it does not matter if you have played before or played for years you will be fully welcome. The team have seen it’s numbers grow since lockdown from just 4 attending training sessions to now consistently getting over 20. Last weekend saw 30 players making themselves available for selection for our fixture. The thing that makes this team so special is the commitment both players and coaches have in regards to mental health which is at its core. There is a strong sense of togetherness throughout the squad which emulates a genuine feeling that you are ever alone.To show our commitment and recognition of importance of mental health we have the the semi colon on our playing shirts to show our support to players, their families and supporters.
The Panthers next game is away to Richmondshire on Sunday, 20 February.
Representing Percy Park RFC
From 15:Nicole Dominicia, Sarah Jayne Laybourne,Rebecca Casey, Beth Calvert, Caitlin Monteath-Stokoe, Victoria Moxom and Rachel White.
From 8: Lauren Watson, Anna Golightly, Nesha Wood, Alison Davies, Katie Shanley, Sarah Hartshorne, Alexandra Goldsborough and Stephanie Gicquel
Finishers; Tina Attersall-Colclough,Maria Chisholm, Fay Bell, Lyndsey Taylor, Anna Ford, Jayne Moore and Danielle Wood-Paige,