Panther’s 1st XV lose out to Southwell

Chesterfield travelled to Southwell buoyed by recent form, yet further depleted by injuries.

Panthers began the game with a breeze behind them but were quickly put under pressure by slick handling from the Southwell backs. After spending the firs t10 minutes defending heir own line Southwell were able to break through in the corner to score the first try. Chesterfield immediately pounced on the restart and won a penalty just outside the home teams 22 metre line, which Chris Ward was able to slot through the posts to pull back within two points.

Southwell continued where they had begun the game and were to exert more pressure on Chesterfield. With the wind causing problems at the line-out Panthers were struggling to win field position even after the referee had penalised Southwell several times. Southwell were able to add their second try after some poor defending from Panthers allowed the Southwell No.8 to crash over close to the posts.

Panthers struggled to put together phases of play with Southwell maintaining a fast pace which Chesterfield attempted, unsuccessfully to match. Once again following an error from Southwell Panthers attempted to hack the ball forward only for it bounce perfectly for the Southwell winger to nip in unopposed for the home sides third try.

At half time Coach Derrick Sherlock issued some stern words that seemingly worked as Panthers immediately came out the blocks controlling the ball and working through several phases and almost put Tye Rose over in the corner. Chesterfield now controlled the pace of the game and after patiently working the ball through the forwards phase after phase; the ball was spun to Glenn Grayson who smartly touched down out wide. Ward just shaved the post with the conversion attempt.

It was Southwell’s turn to come under pressure as Chesterfield once again worked the ball securely through the forwards in midfield and a perfectly timed pass from Jordan Grayson to his brother Glenn allowed the full-back to beat four defenders and touch down under the posts for his brace. Ward knocked over the simple conversion.

Panther’s heads were now up and played with the confidence they had demonstrated in recent weeks. Following a period of Chesterfield pressure a mistake would once again cost the away team as a dropped ball was pounced upon by Southwell nd the ball was shifted quickly down the line allowing them to sneak in for their fourth try against the run of play.

It would be Chesterfield who finished the strongest after a long period of possession within the home sides 22-metre line, which saw Paul Jones & Steve Allen held up over the line. After several penalties a quick tap from Eric Wright fed the ball to Chris Ward who stepped inside two defenders to score an invaluable try under the posts. Ward added the all-important conversion to pull Panthers back within six points and secure the losing bonus point.

Chris ward praised his teams second half performance ‘we showed real character today, we could have capitulated in the first half but we changed our tactics at half-time and played to our strengths. Had their been more time on the clock the win would almost certainly been within reach.’

Panthers coach selected hooker Rob Davison as man of match owing to his tireless work ethic, carrying the ball numerous times and leading the pack with ferocious tackling.

Tries: Glenn Grayson 2, Chris Ward

Penalty: Chris Ward

Conversions: Chris Ward 2

Panthers: Terry Titley, Rob Davison, Steve Allen, James Kennedy, Chris Windle, Chris Brailsford, Paul Jones, Luke Holt, Jordan Gratson, Eric Wright, Phil Cawthorne, Adam Miles, Chris Ward (c), Tye Rose, Glenn Grayson