Chesterfield Panthers made it through to the next round of the RFU Junior Vase after overcoming a strong and physical Sileby team. Made extremely welcome by the home sides officials and supporters and seeing both sides showing great commitment the throng of spectators enjoyed a great atmosphere. The new league side proved to be stern opposition and look to be destined to be promotion contenders for the league title. Vikings pack put Panthers under pressure from the onset but spurned on by the outstanding Chris Windle they stood firm. Windle was everywhere making tackle after tackle . Rob Collins at number 10 controlled the Panthers attack making great inroads into the home sides defence. The games first score came from Rob after a great run and offload from Carl Walker. Steve Aveniers attempted conversion going agonisingly close. Vikings responded with a well taken penalty after Panthers infringed at the ruck. A five metre scrum in Panthers favour led to a maul and saw prop Joe Walton break through to touch down in the corner. Again the conversion was missed. Panthers final try of the half came from Scot Widowson after a great 15 meter pass from Rob Collins had split the Vikings back line. Conversion missed.The home side to their credit never gave up and where rewarded after great lineout and surging rolling maul resulted in a touch down in the corner. Conversion missed. The final score came from a well taken penalty by Glen Grayson. The interval came with Panthers in front 18 points to 8.

At the restart the Vikings, urged on by their supporters came out full of fire and took the game to the Panthers, but great tackling from the Panthers defence prevented them from making any inroads. With the home side winning a scrum 5 meters out they piled forward but despite intense effort they where stopped short of the line. As it was the Panthers where to record the only score of the half. Scot Widowson collecting the ball raced towards the line. Running diagonally he straightened up putting the Vikings defence on the back fort. Then an outside pass to Glen Grayson for the touch down. Glen narrowing missing his own conversion. This proved to be the final score, after what looked to be a serious injury to one of the home team, curtailed the game. The ref calling both teams together asking if they wanted to stop the match with just 10 minuets to go. Both sides readily agreed. And the score stayed at Panthers victors by 28 points to 8. Captain Steve Avenier said “Our thoughts are with the injured player and we wish him well. With a depleted side Panthers showed their character and strength in depth with a gutsy performance. To win in the cup is nice, but the Clubs main priority remains the league” Panthers would like to thank the home side for their hospitality and to the referee for his handling of the game.

Squad....S.WIDOWSON, J.BLAIR,C.WALKER, O.JENKINS,W.STRIDE, G.GRAYSON, R.COLLINS, S.AVENIER, C.WINDLE, R.DAVISON, A.HUGHES,J.WALTON,S.GARNER, A.ALLEN, M.GOULD, L.LAUGHTON, A.HUGHES, J.GRAYSON, P.CAWTHORNE, A.SHERLOCK

MAN OF THE MATCH...CHRIS WINDLE

Chesterfield Panthers 1stXV is at home, league against Nottinghamians k.o 3.00pm

Match details

Match date

Sat 28 Sep 2013

Kickoff

14:30

Team overview