Womans NC 3 North
Percy Park RFC Panthers 0 v Houghton RUFC Hornets 26
Panthers stung by Hornets
A bumper crowd watched Percy Park Panthers first league game of the season at Preston Avenue on Sunday.
The Panthers took the field without a recognised 10 after Dom Hepples fell ill on the morning of the game and with a new scrum half. Chloe Bland making her first team debut at nine.
The game also saw debuts for Charlean Wright, Mary Tunmore, Paige Wood, Marie Butler and Demi Agar who just happens to be, Charlean‘s daughter.
Notwithstanding the hastily rearranged back line and the arrival of the newbies the Panthers acquitted themselves well for the first quarter with the defence coming out on top and some big hits coming in from Charlean, Paige, Demi, Steph Cicquel and Marie.
Some strong running from the recently wed Beth and Lauren Calvert alongside Steph and Demi had the whole team on the front foot. One bullocking 50 yard run from Beth ended in a tantalisingly close decision that saw Demi Agar held up over the line and a goal line dropout given.
The disappointment caused a momentary lack of concentration on the Panthers left flank and the Hornets took full advantage with a well taken wingers try.
Two further converted tries were conceded in short order before halftime but the second half saw a spirited fight back. Only one further unconverted try being considered not withstanding six significant injuries to key personnel.
The Panthers played with heart and determination throughout and real positivity much to the delight of the coaches.
Congratulations to the Players of the match chosen by our opposition-Vicki Moxom our captain for the day who stepped in at 10 and played like she’d done it forever and Alex Goldsborough, our hooker, who had a stormer!