Panthers Weather the Storm against Gateshead

Percy Park 35 – Gateshead 0

The Panthers welcomed Gateshead to Preston Avenue on Sunday for their second face off during the current NC3 season. The last time these two sides met, the Panthers were the dominant side both in numbers and score, but with Gateshead now fielding products of their youth teams, it was clear from the whistle that this was going to be a different match completely. Gateshead however were not the only visitors to Preston Avenue, as storm Isha was playing against both teams.

The Panthers were ready from the whistle, and brand new to the position C Ward took the first kick of the match and the Panthers were in their stride from the get-go. Pace and pressure caused a knock on from Gateshead, and a scrum was called just 40 seconds into the game. A strong scrum from the Panthers had Gateshead on their toes.

Gateshead regained possession after a knock on from the Panthers but were pinned in their ’22 for 10 minutes. Strong defensive lines, and impressive line speed, the Panthers were on their top form. Gateshead, no matter how hard they ran, just could not make it past the barricade of black and white. A turnover ball left Gateshead chasing dust, and a ball out to the backs had the Panthers in line for the first try of the game but were stopped just short. A quick ball from the ruck, to S Gicquel had her literally shaking off the last line of defence to secure the first 5 points just 15 minutes into the game. C Ward stepped up to the kicking tee for the first time, and if she was nervous, it absolutely was not on display. A quick kick, C Ward secured the additional two points as the sidelines erupted with cheer.

A quick restart from the Gateshead led to a knock on from the Panthers, some impressive caries were made by “The Heed” until a steal from E Coulson. The ball was put into the hands of M Tunmore who proceeded to take on six of Gateshead’s defensive line and made an impressive 15 meters of distance before Gateshead coupled up and managed to get her down. A quickly recycled ball to SJ Leybourne took the ball to the left hand side of the pitch when L Shanks took it to just short of the line, where V Moxom worked her magic and took it over, C Ward again secured the 2 conversion points, making her kicking record 2 for 2.

The conditions were worsening as the first half played out, but the Panthers were on top of the game, Gateshead couldn’t make it through, but kept on going until the whistle was blown for half time.

Gateshead had the kick off for the second half and managed to regain possession, but it wasn’t long before the Panthers won it back. Playing against the wind the Panthers tightened together which meant Gateshead were having to double down on their defence. A ruck was formed and Gateshead were penalised for hands in the ruck, C Ward kicked the ball out for a lineout in the Panthers own ’22.

A quick lineout from the Panthers seen the wind carry the ball in Gateshead’s favour and what looked a promising ball down the line, it was stopped short by a knock on. A strong scrum from the Panthers pack led to a quick ball to the backs, which was taken by the wind and had both teams scrambling to take possession. After a couple of “oopsies” the Panthers again won the race against the wind, a promising run from N Wood, took the ball to the half way line, when S Gicquel took the ball all the way, breaking through a 1v3 and then stepping over Gateshead’s last line of defence in a fantastic display of footwork in a 1v1. The wind against us, the ref called for an automatic 2 points to account for Isha’s part of the match.

Gateshead were now feeling the full force of the Panthers, but showed fantastic sportsmanship and never bowed there heads. After regaining possession, they made it up the field into the Panthers ’22. After a quick possession regain the ball was knocked on, and Gateshead was awarded a scrum, the Panthers however weren’t done, and stole the ball from a ruck.

After an impressive run by P Wood, the Gateshead defence were left chasing a sea of black and white once more, stopped early by Gatesheads full back N Wood took it back into the middle of the playing field where an eager L Shanks was waiting for her opportunity to get some points under her name. Try was scored, and the Panthers were given another automatic 7. Maybe Isha wasn’t so bad after all.

The game continued and both teams were feeling the full force of the weather but didn’t let it stop them, all 30 players were enjoying the rugby in front of them. The worsening conditions forced a total of 5 scrums in a 10 minute period.

In the final few minutes, the Panthers regained possession, and waiting in the centre stood S Gicquel, waiting and ready to beat the entire Gateshead defence, from the half way line all the way to the try line, securing her third try of the game, with an automatic 7 pointer. S Gicquel now sits at the top of the table for the most points scored during the current season. Her ability to create space and step through the defence is unmatched and celebrated within the squad.

Gateshead kept up their heads, and kept pushing forward until the final whistle. But the Panthers once again came up on top.

The Panthers currently led by Mandy Robertson Wood, have maintained the top spot in the league and are back training on Wednesday, ahead of their next match against Blaydon Redkites 2XV.

Panthers keep their spot at the top for another week

Percy Park Panthers - 38 Consett & District Women – 24

The first match of 2024, definitely had the Panthers beaming with excitement as they took on a strong and well drilled Consett & District Women’s side.

From the kick off the Panthers were playing their strengths strong, using their heavy forward pack to play for yards whilst the backs used their pace to keep the ball moving deep into Consetts half. Consett were holding their own well, until a quick ball out to Leybourne on the wing secured the first try of the game within 5 minutes of playing time.

When play restarted, the Panthers had an air of confidence about them and their heads were up taking big hits from Consett, whilst still making yards. Consett kept up the pressure which ended with a turnover ball, and after quick thinking from N Wood, the ball was won back in the ruck, this led the Panthers to get the ball over into the middle where Wrecking Ball Gicquel ran the ball up the line to secure the second try of the game. Swiftly converted by Hepples, it took the Panthers to 12-0 halfway through the first half.

Play restarted and Consett were as determined as ever, to get theirselves on the board, with some quick plays in the middle, they were through the wall of Panthers for their first try of the game. They followed through with a conversion bringing the score up to 12-7.
After another swift restart, Consett were swift down the line and quickly took back the score board with another try leaving the Panthers bewildered and the score board at 12-12.

On the restart, the Panthers were raring to go, the lasses were set, and after a quick ball to Hyde in the backs, with plenty of support behind, she tore through Consetts line and made it all the way to convert it herself and make the score line 19-12.

Consett didn’t give up though, they kept the pressure on the Panthers and just before the ref blew for half time and took the score line to 19-17!

Play resumed, and the Panthers were well and truly into the swing of things now, which was absolutely clear when the Whippet P Wood, ran straight down the line with a jaw dropping try 6 seconds into the second half, it left the people on the side lines with their jaws dropped, and Consett scratching their heads. The try was converted by Hyde once more. 26-17.

Now the Panthers had completely relaxed into their rugby and were completely in their stride. Taking big hits and keeping Consett on their toes, allowing Hyde to score once more taking it up to 31-17.

And the Panthers redemption arc had officially begun!
The next few minutes of play were nothing but fantastic feats of rugby with some huge hits from the Panthers, causing Consett to turnover the ball and leading to a fantastic run up the field from N Wood, and although it was a close call with a tackle close to the line, she made it over and brought the Panthers up to 36, whilst first time kicker, Shanks scored a belter of a drop goal conversion rounded it to 38-17.

In the last play of the game, Consett were within in the Panthers’ 22, and after a few too many infringements and lack of discipline, conceded a penalty try in the final minute of the game. After the conversion, the referee called the game with the final whistle making the final score, 38-24.

Sunday 22 October 2023

Percy Park Panthers 26  - 12 Consett & District
(HT: 5 - 0)

With storm Babet not putting a stop to any of our matches this weekend, the Panthers welcomed Consett & District to Preston Avenue this Sunday. 

We endured a slightly smoky start as one of our neighbours enjoyed a late afternoon garden tidy up but that was soon extinguished and we could now see the pitch.

The Panthers lined up with our new Hooker, Amy Jennings, pulling on the black and white shirt for her debut at Preston Avenue. 

Both teams started off strongly coming off the whistle at full force. Good tackling from both sides meant a very physical first few minutes. With our back row at full strength, with Captain Anna Dryden, Nesha Wood and Emma Roberts, we were able to dominate the breakdown and our front 5 dominated in the scrum and off the back of that in the 12th minute we saw Steph Gicquel barge through the defence to score the Panthers’ first try of the match. 

Dom Hepples stepped up to take the conversion but it was not to be this time around the kick just going slightly wide. 5 – 0. 

Unfortunately, the Panthers then lost their number 10 Bethany Milne to a nasty knee injury in the 20th minute resulting in a trip to hospital. We wish you a speedy recovery Bethany.  

After the injury break the game resumed and saw Consett & District take their first try of the match scoring in the 49th minute. No conversion this time with the kick going wide to take the score to 5 – 5. 

The Panthers dug deep and in the 52nd minute Steph Gicquel scored her 2nd try of the match with Dom Hepples scoring the conversion bringing the score to 12 – 5. With Consett & District scoring in the 64th minute and converting the try the score was now 12 – 12.

Once again The Panthers came back fighting with Dom Hepples scoring in the 70th minute and converting her try to bring the score up to 19 – 12. Tensions were high but our Captain Anna Dryden, leading from the front as ever, calmed the team down ,refocussing them on the job in hand; they did just that with the next try coming from Sarah Jane Laybourne running the length of the pitch to score under the posts and Dom yet again converting the try 

The Panthers took a deserved win with a final score of 26 – 12.

The whole squad put in a tremendous performance but special mention to our forward of the match, Jenny Wood, for her outstanding performance in the scrum and the loose, our Back of the match Dom Hepples for an outstanding performance and kicking the conversions Finally a special to the opposition player of the match Stephanie Gicquel who proved she can truly play any position on the team after appearing at prop centre and full back!.

Point Scorers: 

Steph Gicquel 2 Try’s

Dom Hepples 1 Try 3 conversions.

Sarah-Jane Laybourne 1 Try