Percy Park Panthers 5 v 36 Penrith Panthers
April 6, 2025

This weekend, Percy Park Panthers welcomed Penrith Panthers to Preston Avenue for a much-anticipated league match. With the sun shining brightly and live music echoing from the sidelines, it promised to be an exhilarating day for women’s rugby.

From the opening whistle, it was clear to Park that they were in for a challenging match. Penrith quickly asserted their dominance, breaking through Park's defence within minutes to score the first try of the match. Shortly thereafter, a head-on collision resulted in the injury of Park prop R. Hyland, who was forced to leave the match. This required significant changes to the front row, with SJ Laybourne stepping into her new position at second row.

A missed catch by Park allowed Penrith to capitalize, scooping up the loose ball and racing down the line to secure their second try. Park found themselves pinned in their own 22, working hard to regain ground. Flanker C. Monteath-Stokoe managed to make a break through Penrith's defence and gain some much-needed distance, but the opposition quickly regained control and exploited a gap in Park's defence to score their third try.

Despite the setbacks, Park was determined not to back down. As the first half came to a close, the team began to showcase the level of rugby they had demonstrated throughout the season.

In the second half, Park maintained their grit and determination. A  Park scrum led to a quick pick-and-go by E. Mather, resulting in a penalty for Park. D. Hepples took a rapid tap and go, breaking through Penrith's defence to score the team's first and only try of the match, although the conversion attempt narrowly missed.

Penrith responded by applying pressure and pinning Park back in their 22. However, winger A. Goodwin made a remarkable tackle, thwarting a potential try for Penrith. When Park received a yellow card, they were reduced to 14 players, and Penrith quickly exploited this advantage, pushing toward the try line. Yet, Park's defence held strong, holding up and denying the try.

The match was characterized by frequent interruptions, leading to frustration among players as both teams struggled to find their rhythm in the second half. Ultimately, Penrith went on to score two additional tries, concluding the match with a final score of 05-36 in their Favor.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the supporters who came out to cheer on the team, and we wish Penrith all the best for the remainder of the season.

Special acknowledgments this week include: 

- **Match Ball Sponsor:** SHF GYM 

- **Pitchside Music:** Grant and Mark 

**Players of the Match:** 

- **Forward:** C. Monteath-Stokoe 

- **Back:** T. Sisterson 

- **Opposition Player of the Match:** E. Mather

Ponteland Tigers  0  vs  28  Percy Park Panthers
23^rd 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.  4^th in the table, but with a couple of games in hand, the Pathers meet top of the table Penrith at home next, on 6^th April. See you there.

Percy Park Panthers 19 v 40 Rockcliff Roses
8th March 2025
IWD 2025

This Saturday, the Percy Park Panthers hosted the Rockcliff Roses at Preston Avenue for a highly anticipated local derby, a day that certainly left a lasting impression. The stands and balcony were filled with passionate supporters, highlighting the incredible enthusiasm for women’s rugby, especially on a day dedicated to celebrating the remarkable contributions of women both on and off the field.

From the opening whistle, both teams demonstrated their competitive spirit. The Panthers quickly established dominance, keeping the Roses in their half, leading to the first lineout of the match, followed by a scrum. The Panthers maintained their attacking momentum, but a few handling errors allowed the Roses to gain possession. Rockcliffs No. 12, Macey Leach, capitalised on this opportunity, scoring the first try of the match.

Undeterred, the Panthers applied significant pressure, resulting in a scrum just in front of the try line where they managed to break through, but were unfortunately held up. Still within the Roses' 22, the Panthers fought valiantly, but a turnover in the ruck enabled the Roses to break free and secure another try.

The Panthers responded with their first try, courtesy of No. 10 Caitlin Ward. However, the Roses quickly added two more tries, ending the first half with a score of 5-26 in their favour.

The second half saw the Panthers return with renewed determination. Captain Steph Gicquel powered through the defence to score an impressive try, which was perfectly converted by Dom Hepples. This was soon followed by a spectacular run from Park winger SJ Laybourne, who covered the full length of the pitch to score under the posts, again converted by Hepples.

The Roses, however, secured two additional tries, bringing the match to a close with a final score of 19-40 in their favour.

We want to thank Rockcliff Roses for staying for aftermantch celebrations for IWD 2025. A fantastic atmosphere in the clubhouse, With raffles, food and a presentation from our Vice Jenny Wood for what Women’s rugby means to us all. It may have been a local derby but both teams have genuine friendships with each other and that’s what women supporting women should be.

Huge thank you for all of our raffle donations and prizes.

Special mentions go to our players of the match: 

- **Forward**: Marie Watson 

- **Back**: Caitlin Monteath-Stokoe 

- **Opposition**: Lauren Calvert