Chesterfield Panthers 1st XV demolish rivals Amber Valley in 8 try thriller

Having being the only team to beat Chesterfield last season Panthers took on rivals Amber Valley with a score to settle.

Captain Chris Ward won the toss and opted to play with the breeze in the first half looking to make Amber Valley chase from the off. Panthers immediately started the game with pace and within 5 minutes had worked the ball inside the opponents 22 allowing number 8 Luke Holt to bulldozer over close to the posts to open the scoring. Ward added the extras.

Panthers immediately moved forward once again from the restart through tidy work at the breakdown from scrum-half Eric Wright linking well with the forwards to work through the phases marching once again into the 22, this time quick ball down the back line put Tye Rose in the corner for Panthers second try, Ward adding the tricky conversion.

Amber Valley were not in the mood for a drubbing and good scrummaging & line out allowed them to stall several Panthers attacks. Discipline however, favoured Chesterfield as a string of penalties allowed Panthers close to Valleys line and Luke Holt once again to smash his way over for his second. Ward once again stepped up to knock over the conversion.

Half-time: Panthers 21 Amber Valley 0

The game already had begun to open up despite Panthers seemingly playing at a canter. Coach Derrick Sherlock instructed his side to up the tempo.

Panthers came under pressure following the restart with Valley putting penalties into the corner, but outstanding tackling from Chris Windle, Paul Jones & Steve Allen put Valley on the back foot allowing Chesterfield to turn the ball over and clear their lines. Chesterfield then marched the full length of the pitch after Chris Ward & Eric Wright punished Valleys indiscipline with quick penalties and kicks into the corner. Chris Windle was on hand to take the ball from 20 metres out to break through several tackles to score under the posts. Conversion added.

Valley were now in array and following quality counterattacks from brothers Glenn & Jordan Grayson panthers steamed down the wing with slick handling from Rob Davison putting Jordan in under the sticks. Ward again continued his perfect kicking form adding the extras.

Moving into the final phase of the game Panthers looked to open up their legs and strong running from Jamie Barnett through the heart of the defense led to a well taken try by Chris Ward who was also able to convert his own score.

Immediately from the restart Panthers headed into the Valley 22, quick thinking from Ward after Amber Valley's defense rushed up in a dog leg sent centre Nick Fenton in for Panthers 7th try. Ward was only able to hit the post with the conversion.

With full time approaching Chesterfield once again ran Valley's defense ragged and Luke Holt crashed over for his hat trick from a quick tap penalty. Once again fly-half Ward struck the uprights with the conversion.

Panthers had completely outclassed Amber Valley, Chesterfield's home support were thrilled to have witnessed such an open and flowing game of rugby with Panthers taking 5 all important points.

Coach Sherlock selected second row Neil Shaw & No.8 Luke Holt as joint man of the match.

Chesterfield Panthers 52 Amber Valley 0

Panthers: Paul Jones, Robert Davidson, Steve Allen, Jamie Barnett, Neil Shaw, Chris Brailsford, Chris Windle, Luke Holt, Eric Wright, Chris Ward (c), Nick Fenton, Ben Bunting, Jordan Grayson, Tye Rose, Glenn Grayson

Subs: Terry Titley, Grant Teagle,

Tries: Luke Holt 3, Nick Fenton, Jordan Grayson, Chris Windle, Chris Ward

Conversions: Chris Ward 6