Woman’s NC 3 North
Percy Park RFC Panthers 59 Ponteland RFC Tigers 26
A first as Panthers tame the Tigers
Sunday saw a history making first league win for Percy Park Panthers.
Percy Park welcomed the Ponteland Tigers to Preston Avenue today for their second league game of the season.
With slightly depleted numbers, Ponteland struggled to field a full squad. Percy Park were keen to play the fixture and generously loaned the Tigers players to enable the game to go ahead.
The Panthers now disguised as Tigers worked hard and to the untrained eye blended in as they gave 100% to the new shirt, showing a spectacular commitment to the game.
The first 5 minutes was a bit frantic, with both teams struggling to settle and it was the Tigers who struck first scoring beneath the posts and securing the conversion.
Showing their growing confidence and maturity the Panthers regrouped, refocused, and went back to basics taking back control of the game.
Great handling from the backs resulting in a stunning try to equalise through the hands of centre Liv Shanks, with another soon after by captain Vicky Moxom which she generously tried to gift to fellow back Shanks. Had she known Shanks had plans to run 2 more of her own, she needn’t have, however it was a touching display of a true team player. The extras added by the boot of the ever reliable number 8 Lauren Calvert who provided another powerful performance, bouncing off would be tacklers.
As the Panthers took back control, their hard work in training paid off with slick handling and effective rucking. Strong running from hooker Alex Goldsborough and second row Sheona McIntyre, saw Percy Park gain crucial territory.
Another great passage of play saw Paige Wood sprinting up the wing almost reaching the try line.
Though uncontested scrums, Chloe Bland moved the ball well from the base. Her passes showed great distance and precision, allowing the ball to reach the capable hands of Vicky Moxom. A deft pass fed Caitlin Monteath-Stokoe for another one of her spirited runs. On this occasion well tackled by one of the Tigers. A fumble of the ball found the expert hands of fullback Dom Hepples and her dancing feet nipped through for another Panthers try, bagging herself the first of 6 conversions.
There were some sniping runs from flanker Nesha Wood slicing through the opposition adding another try to the ever-growing Panther tally.
Quick thinking and great handling skills saw Anna Ford scooping up a loose ball and taking it forward, allowing the backline of the Panthers to realign and go again.
Multiple injuries from a truly physical clash, saw players from both sides taking to the bench. This saw the return of debutant Jenny Wood to the black and white hoops of Park and once again she charged straight back in, hitting every ruck with the same energy as she had started with 70 minutes ago! Her energy contributing to her forward of the match award.
Katherine Taylor, also on her debut run out added great running and strong tackling to the Ponteland team.
Though the Tigers fought back, the skill of the Panthers was too much and another brilliant display of handling saw the ball reach the hands of Sarah-Jane Laybourne patiently waiting for her turn to shine.
A big thank you to the players who agreed to play for the opposition and also to the supporters (mostly Beth) in the grandstand for their persistent positivity for the Panthers. A great game to watch.
