Old Newts V Chesterfield Panthers

After a dark and gloomy week, Chesterfield travelled to sunny Leicestershire to face the Old Newtonians in their first league match of the season. And with four brand new players, who had never played a in a competitive game before, in the Chesterfield Panthers’ line-up, the game proved to be a baptism of fire for many.

Chesterfield were slow off the mark and struggled to contain the pace that the old Newtonians possessed. As a result Chesterfield got punished due to their lack of spatial awareness and a few missed tackles.

At half time strong words were delivered as coach Bailey tried to revive a disheartened team. Early in the second half Danii Booth capitalised on a penalty given in the opposition 22, with a neat and tidy tap and go, managing to get Chesterfield’s first points of the season on the board. Chesterfield kept their composure and applied good pressure with the ball remaining in the opposition’s half for the majority of the second half.

Having been warned about high tackles, with twenty minutes to go the referee issued his first yellow card to the Old Newtonians. With 10 minutes left they had their second player yellow carded for the same offence. Chesterfield were unable to capitalise on the two man advantage with Lauren Winnard coming close to scoring a try.

The Old Newtonians were a well-disciplined team however the score line didn’t do Chesterfield justice. They were far superior in the scrum, rucks and mauls but lacking that sharpness in the final phase when pushing for a try.

Forward of the match: Holly Scott
Back of the match: Ellie Reed
Tries: Danii Booth