Tigers Mauled by Panthers
- Stu
- Category: Panthers Reports 24/25
- Hits: 1049
Ponteland Tigers 0 vs 28 Percy Park Panthers
23rd March 25
Percy Park travelled to Ponteland, under some pressure after a loss to Whitley Bay Rockcliffe in the previous game, and a close fought battle with Pont last time round.
The game started well, with both team committing to a physical battle, and some hard rucks from the off. A quick penalty in the first few minutes, awarded by the visiting referee from Andalucía, handed the ball to Park, and Lauren Calvert’s tap and go started a long period of possession for Park in the Ponteland 22. Pont’s attempts to relieve the pressure with long kicks downfield were ably anticipated by Caitlin Monteath-Stokoe at full back, and the Panthers found themselves able to reproduce their form from training, communicating well, going through the phases, and even attempting to get the ball to the wing.
Back on the halfway line, a slippy kick delighted the crowd, leading to a scrum, and the Panthers came away with the ball. Some strong breaks from Dom Hepples, Emily Mather and Caitlin Ward among others, were absorbed by the Ponteland defence. Now nearing halfway, Panthers were looking the better team, but the points were still level.
Next up, Panthers started to put the ball through the hands, with a serious of successful passes covering the width of the pitch, and ending up with Alice Goodwin, making good ground along the wing, but eventually taken down by Ponteland. Percy Park kept up the pressure on the try line, but eventually conceded a penalty, and had to switch quickly into defensive mode, as Pont battled their way up the pitch. For the next 5 minutes, the Panthers committed to some big tackles, and kept their heads, eventually winning a penalty on their own 22, which Dom kicked to touch. But Pont soon won the ball back and got dangerously close to the line, before a great jackal by Nesha Wood rescued the Panthers. A series of carries and breaks, including from Jenny Wood, Lauren Calvert and Marie Watson, and a flashy display from backs, made the ground back up, before the ball got to captain Stef Gicquel, who did one of her trademark runs, cutting through the Ponteland players and placing the ball down between the posts. Dom Hepples, assuming kicking duties after some time away, slotted the conversation capably.
Following the restart, Stef found a way through the defence again and made a run from deep in her own half, with Caitlin Ward matching her pace and providing support. Passing the ball between each other, in a brilliant display, they made it past the full back, slipping through tackles before being taken into touch a couple of meters from the line. Amy Jennings managed to secure the loose ball from their line out and charged towards the line, but was held short, and a subsequent Ponteland interception led to a counterattack, but Park absorbed the pressure, and went into half time 0 – 7.
A messy restart gave Panthers a scrum on the halfway line. Passing the ball down to the wing, with some great hands from Liv Shanks keeping it out of touch, Ponteland conceded a penalty. Dom’s boot found touch on the 22, and the Panthers executed a driving maul from the line-out straight, making 10 meters comfortably before sending the ball out, and losing possession. Caitlin Monteath-Stokoe committed to the chase, making a potentially try saving tackle. After a few minutes of battling in the rucks, Stef came away with the ball. Her break resulted in a penalty and Panthers line out within spitting distance of the try line, with both the backs and the forwards having a go at breaking through the defence. The attempt was held up, but the Panthers made the most of the goal line drop out, with Liv Shanks eventually making a great run and securing the Panthers their second try.
A third try came almost immediately, with Panther’s sticking to their game play, and the ball getting to the wing, where Nesha Wood speeded through the Pont defence to touch the ball down, and Dom converting successfully again.
The game continued to be very physical, with Jo C on the wing committing hard to the rucks, and panthers came away with another penalty. Panthers kept up the pressure, with great form in the scrum, particularly from Emma at 8, and some tuneful scrummaging ideas borrowed from Joe Mahler from Gabby. During a period of Ponteland pressure, tempers began to fray, but some impressive hits from players like Talia Sisterson resulted in Panthers coming away with possession again. Another driving maul from a line out led to another held up try for Park, but there wasn’t long to wait as Emily went over for the Panther’s fifth, closing the game with a decisive 0- 28 win for the Percy Park. 4th in the table, but with a couple of games in hand, the Pathers meet top of the table Penrith at home next, on 6th April. See you there.
