CHESTERFIELD PANTHERS 1stXV 30 POINTS v HALLAMSHIRE 1stXV 3 POINTS

Panthers played host to Northern Division - Yorkshire 5 Hallamshire at home in a pre-season friendly. Although a friendly the pressure was on for the Panthers to perform as their opponents face a title defense in the Merit Table and challenging for honours in Yorkshire 5. This visitors started the game strongly and put the home side under pressure from the onset. But Panthers defended well and prevented them from scoring any tries. After a nervy start Panthers started to exert some pressure,but a string of dropped passes prevented a try. Deemed an infringment by the ref Hallamshire where awarded a 3 point lead. That initial lead served the Panthers well, as it awakened the attack up resulting in a touch down from the ever dependable Rob Collins. A tense first half finished at 5 points to 3 in Panthers favour.
An interval pep talk from coach Derek Sherlock revitalized the Panthers.
under pressure the visitors wilted and from a scrum Andy Hughe drove over from 10 metres. Panthers next score came from a well time interception by Liam Alford who touched down in the corner. Andy Hughes adding another shortly after. Liam Charlesworth, with his first touch of the ball scored , after a great off-load by captain Steve Avenier. The final score came from a surging run down the wing by Steve Avenier.
Overall a good game played in the right spirit by both teams. Credit to Lee Laughton coming on for the visitors and preventing the scrum going un-contested