Chesterfield Panthers 2’s v East Retford 2’s

With most of the team struggling to concentrate on this fixture due to the exciting social game celebrating Dave Fenton’s 60th Birthday, the players went to watch a combination of staple 1st team and young colt blood take on some former Chesterfield Superstars.
However, with the 3PM KO looming, a structured warm up and pre match game plan was delivered from coach John Jefferson and the home team were ready to face East Retford. The visitors informed us that they had short numbers so the Panthers dropped a player from the backs.
With the wind in their faces, the Panthers kicked up the park and it didn’t take long to apply some pressure.
Fast pace and quick hands allowed Steven Hatt to score in the corner, the wind giving Chris Cooper no chance with the kick conversion!
5-0
A similar formula followed quickly again with Bruce Shiels slipping through again.
10-0
East Retford came back strong but were denied in the homeside’s 10 metre area, Paul Giller baring the brunt of East Retford studs and subbing with Jack Preece at 8.
With the wet and windy conditions a full day’s scrumming was always going to be on the cards! With a combination pack of experienced heads and eager enthusiasm this would be an interesting outcome. A strong Panther scrum, driven by new locks Gareth Blakeman and Liam Ward, pushed the visitors back before Jack Preece picked up the ball and ran toward toward the corner, the East Retford tighthead prop denying him the promise of crossing the line, new scrum half Dean Shiels did his best to help Jack at the maul, but it took a big nudge from Ryan Hanes to get him over.
15-0
With the forwards demonstrating what they had to offer, the backs were keen to show some more quick ball, scrum half Dean Shiels looking electric, before Steven Hatt delivered his pace and landed under the posts, Chris Cooper a little more grateful for this location as the weather worsened.
22-0
With the game getting more physical but increasingly sloppy, penalties began to creep in, then came the frustration, this style couldn’t continue and Hooker Ged Dernley was given his “first yellow card in 15 years” due to a questionable tip tackle, the player didn’t land on his head but the referee felt that Ged hadn’t done enough to land him safely, the frustrated hooker left the field for 10 minutes.
East Retford took advantage of these frustrations and gained penalty after penalty, tighthead Greg Fritchley looked close to leaving the field after some more stern words from the referee. East Retford piled on the pressure, knocking on the home team door a few times before breaking through the defence.
HT 22-5

With a reassuring half time chat and a chance for hot heads to simmer down, changes were made, Declan Wileman and Liam Chappell stepped into the second row.
The first scrum was a challenge with Ged Dernley having to wait another 3 minutes. Nathan Newton had to join scrum ala Jonny May style!
What he lacked in the scrum department he made up for in pace, quickly bagging a brace for himself, with one under the posts for Chris Cooper to slot with ease.
34-5
East Retford continued to turn the screw and apply the pressure, but a big boot and chase from Chris Cooper got us back up the field, quickly followed by Ged Dernley after his sin bin, the hooker dashing downfield and side stepping two defenders, only to be tackled by the smallest man on the pitch just metres out, fortunately Liam Chapppell was there to poach the points.
39-5
East Retford had one last stab, Liam Chappell denying the run up the wing with a bone crunching hit, much to the pleasure of the loyal fans and 1st team players who came to show support in the torrid weather. The Panthers’ defence held them out until giving away a number of penalties, allowing them to crash over once more, their 10 kicking well in the prevailing stormy conditions.
39-12
With the clock running down the Panthers maintained the upper hand until speedy fullback Bruce Shiels got clattered and dislocated his right knee. East Retford agreed to call it with only 3 minutes left on the clock.
FT 39-12

After a few weeks of torturous passing drills, courtesy of Coach Mark Blair, the hands looked significantly better, especially considering the blustery conditions.
Silly penalties are becoming our curse and need stamping out immediately if we are to have season long success. This result takes us to the top of the league, but a lot more work is required to stay there. The ability and ambition is there, we just need to work out the kinks!

In an unprecedented managerial decision 3 men deserved the MOTM honours.
Backs - Dean Shiels for an impressive senior debut!
Forwards - Conner and Liam, both put massive hits and showed impressive determination.

1. Ryan Hanes - Enjoyed his game, adapted to opposition scrum tactics, got a big bump off from East Retford tighthead, deserves full credit for Jack Preece’s try ?
2. Ged Dernley - Unbelievable pace, and solid performance.
3. Greg Fritchley - Lost his cool at times but his experience is invaluable to this developing team.
4. Liam Ward - His best game yet! Big presence, very threatening in defence and attack!
5. Gareth Blakeman - Another great game from this emerging player, his size and strength are there and now his rugby brain is developing.
6. Conner Ashton - Great to see him in a Panthers shirt again! An absolute animal at the breakdown, a real thorn in the opposition’s sides.
7. Grant Teagle - No game is complete without him, his partnership with Liam Chappell continues to cause problems for the other teams.
8. Paul Giller - Played at 8, Second Row and Tighthead Prop, as busy day and some studmark souvenirs.
9. Dean Shiels - A dynamite debut, not the biggest player but was certainly the busiest! Great pace and passing!
10. Alex Tustin (C) - Was doubtful midweek but we were grateful to have him, dictated the play effectively.
11. Nathan Newton - “The Flash” was as busy as ever, looked frustrated when he didn’t have the ball but made easy work when he did.
12. Chris Cooper - Ol’ snake hips is back in town, didn’t stand a chance with conversions at both sides of the park in today’s weather, but his game play was infallible, and he proved he’s still got pace even outrunning Nathan at one point!
13. Steven Hatt - Made it look easy out there today, had bags of pace and got a brace of tries in, but could’ve looked over his shoulder at a couple of times to set up his teammates.
14. - Vacant
15. Bruce Shiels - Looked good going forward with ball in hand!
16. Jack Preece - A welcome return, not always available but always does enough to make an impact on a game.
17. Declan Wileman - Came on for the second half and delivered some great tackles, had a couple of cheeky runs forwards too.
18. Liam Chappell - “The Poacher” enormous try denying hit on the big opposition fly half and a busy 40 minutes of rugby
19. Lewis Chapman - Tried his hand at Loosehead Prop today but the opposition was a bit too fierce, stepped back to second row and had a good 30 minutes.
20. Luke Race - Was denied his first half due to the numbers today but came on for the last 30 minutes when most of the damage was done, was eager to please.