Notts Moderns U14s v Chesterfield Panthers U14s

A cracking game featuring 10 tries, played in excellent spirit, entertained our usual enthusiastic and vocal band of followers. Notts Moderns were excellent hosts and perhaps just deserved the spoils. It was an experimental Panthers side, with several positional changes and the players coped well in unfamiliar circumstances: Ian went to hooker with Max moving over to tight head. Blaine moved to blind side flanker, Oscar debuted at fly half and Jack had a run out at outside centre. There wasn’t an NLD referee available so officiating duties were split between Notts Moderns (first half) and Chesterfield (second half).

Panthers kicked off and applied early pressure. Notts Moderns won a line out but Chesterfield won the ball back at a ruck. Oscar charged into heavy traffic but the ball was kicked away. Jack piled into the tackle. The ball came back Chesterfield side, Sam hacked on and cheekily nipped through for the opening score. Sam converted his own try for 0-7. Panthers were soon back on the attack. Hips made a big carry. Jack, clearly revelling in the wide-open spaces, charged on and offloaded to Ian who made good ground up the middle. Dyfan pounced on a loose ball and went most of the length of the pitch for a fine solo score. The conversion went astray but Panthers led 0-12.

Chesterfield continued to attack, and good hands found Blaine in space but a knock on gave Moderns the scrum. The Chesterfield pack looked very solid and was applying pressure to Moderns, but they just held on. More Panthers ball: Oscar carried again and offloaded well to Leo who got in a good charge. A loud blast on the referee’s whistle signalled a penalty to Notts Moderns at the ruck: their rapid backs got away for a smartly taken score, converted for 7-12.

Panthers kicked off and won the ball back. Ben R carried well but was perhaps a little too upright. Moderns pinched the ball from the ensuing maul and were away for a second try. 14-12.

Chesterfield kicked off again and strung together a decent attack only to lose the ball at a ruck. Moderns broke away and scored. The conversion fell inches short, but the hosts now led 19-12. From the restart Moderns won a scrum. A big Panthers shove drove them back and the scrum collapsed. Somehow Nottingham got away with that and attacked again. Good defence from the visitors forced the knock on, scrum Chesterfield. The scrum went down again and Max needed some treatment for a sore neck. From the reset, the ball was spread right, Jack charged on and fed Sam for his second try on the stroke of halftime. The conversion was missed: 19-17.

Dylan came on, put himself about and made an absolute nuisance of himself at the ruck. The wingers David and Josh looked dangerous in attack and worked their socks off in defence. We welcomed Harry F back to the side and he charged into contact with his usual vigour.

Moderns kicked off the second half and Panthers were soon on the attack. A sweeping move was finished off with aplomb by Harry B with Dyfan adding the extras. Panthers led 19-24. The see-saw nature of the match continued when the hosts took a quick tap and caught Chesterfield napping. The converted try took the score to 26-24.

Panthers attacked up the left, Ben G won the ruck. The hosts defended stoutly and won the ball back. The referee spotted a tiny knock on and awarded the scrum to the visitors. Chesterfield spread the ball right, William managed a smart pick and go from the ruck, he fed Dyfan who charged over for his second. The conversion was missed but Chesterfield led 26-31.

The high tempo continued, Moderns got away (although there may have been a foot in touch) and scored. The host’s kicker was cool under pressure and nailed the conversion for 33-31. There was still time for one last Panther’s attack. Ollie B found himself in space, yards from the try line, with arch-finisher Harry B outside him. Gut wrenchingly the pass drifted forward and the referee blew for full time. It was very pleasing to hear the Modern’s coach complimenting Panthers players on their exemplary conduct and good sportsmanship.

Blaine was awarded player of the week for a typical high-energy display. Thanks to our supporters and a special mention for Ollie B and Will S-S for their brilliant teamwork.