PANTHERS RIP APART RHINOS

On a gloriously sunny afternoon at Stonegravels which saw the referee’s bald palate change shade before our eyes the Ladies got back to winning ways with a comfortable win over Ripley Rhinos. A strong display by the whole team kept the visitors pinned in their own 22 for long periods and the wonder is that the score was so low as the Panthers showed total dominance. For those that may be interested in an alternative perspective the following report is produced courtesy of the Rhino’s website and Dave Trubee.

“Ripley Ladies made the short trip to Stonegravels to play Chesterfield hoping for a victory to put pressure on table toppers Loughborough but it never came to pass as the home side dominated the game to come out 22-0 winners.

Skipper Claire Brickley won the toss and sensibly played into the wind and sun in the first half, hoping to use the conditions in the second period but it was Chesterfield who put all the early pressure on their visitors. Strong tackling from winger Hil Thornton, full back Becky Melhuish and scrum half Laura Blackwell-Moore kept the home side at bay but eventually the pressure told and they scored from a quick tap penalty. Rhinos weren't offering much in attack, Chesterfield rucking harder and Ripley's tackling was committed but not low enough to snuff out the runners on first contact, and the hosts scored a second try out wide to double their advantage. Rhino's No.8 Zoë Markham displayed her trademark power in driving her side forward and Brickley was a constant battering ram from fly half but Ripley support wasn't there strongly enough and allowed themselves to be turned over several times, never putting Chesterfield under any pressure in their own half. There were no more scores before half time, leaving the Panthers 10-0 ahead.

Ripley rang the changes at half time, bringing on Carla Heaslip into the backline for an assured debut and prop Liz Trubee who made a number of strong tackles but the fact that it was the tackling and defence that was impressive demonstrated Chesterfield's continued domination of possession and territory. The home side didn't relent and scored another brace in the second half, converting one, to run out clear 22-0 winners.

Ripley looked like a team that hadn't played a game since January; it took until well into the second half to shake rustiness out of the system and to improve their decision making but by this time the hosts had stamped their mark on the game. A lot of what was good for Ripley came from No. 8 Zoë Markham who took the Rhino's player of the match award. Ripley will want to improve things for the visit of Loughborough this Sunday.”