Panthers Claim Victory:
Percy Park Panthers 49 - 17 Alnwick Ladies
Sunday 22nd September 2024
This Sunday, the Panthers hosted Alnwick RFC Women at Preston Avenue, eager to rebound after a hard loss the previous week. The squad was determined to showcase their abilities, and they certainly did not disappoint.
Right from the whistle, the Panthers asserted their control with a powerful scrum, applying constant pressure that left Alnwick struggling against their strong pack. Just six minutes into the match, Livia Shanks opened the scoring with her first try, quickly followed by her second, putting the Panthers ahead 10-0.
The team's momentum continued when Captain Steph Gicquel executed a brilliant line break, outpacing the Alnwick defence. Despite being tackled just before reaching the try line, Gicquel made a precise offload to our number 10, Caitlin Ward, who scored under the posts and converted her own try, extending the lead to 17-0. The Panthers were clearly finding their rhythm.
With strong offensive plays, the Panthers continued to pressure Alnwick, keeping them pinned in their 22-meter area. Winger Sarah-Jane Laybourne made an impressive run along the sideline, passing to Ward, who was making ground until an unfortunate knock-on interrupted the play. Not to be deterred Clari Beaumont secured the next points on the board scoring a spectacular try for the Panthers.
The closing moments of the first half saw the Panthers dominate, culminating in a line break by Emily Mather, who breached Alnwick's defence to secure another try. Ward converted, bringing the halftime score to 27-0.
In the second half, the Panthers maintained their aggressive approach, leading to Beaumont adding her second try. However, Alnwick fought back, scoring and converting their first try, followed by a second, narrowing the score to 27-12.
Refusing to back down, the Panthers responded swiftly with a try from winger Alice Goodwin, marking a stellar debut for her. Flanker Nesha Wood also contributed with another try, but Alnwick kept up the pressure and managed to score again. The Panthers quickly countered with a try from Sheona McIntyre, finishing the match with a decisive score of 49-17 in Favor of the Panthers.
Acknowledging standout performances, the Players of the Match awards were given to Forward Clari Beaumont, Back Amber Hyde, and Caitlin Ward, who received recognition from the opposition for her significant contributions.
As the Panthers look forward, they are excited to take on Novo’s 2nds in the Papa Johns Junior Cup, with kickoff set for 2 PM at home. The team is eager to build on this victory and maintain their positive momentum as the season unfolds!