Panthers pounce on Fleur de Lys
Pembroke Panthers 71 - Fleur de Lys 7
In perfect conditions for running rugby at Crickmarren it was host club Pembroke Panthers who rose to the challenge to comfortably account for visiting Fleur de Lys, who hail from the Caerphilly area.
The Panthers pounced from the outset as a good tackle by Lauren put pressure on them, so that the ball was turned over, before strong runs by Chloe J, Pearl, Lauren and Jamie saw Lauren score, converted by Chloe J.
This was followed by some terrific play up front which saw a first try for Lucy with a powerful run again converted by Chloe J.
Then powerful work by Kirsty, Jamie and Angharad in the front row pushed ‘Flower’ off their own scrum ball which was picked up by Pearl, who made good yardage which was followed by a set scrum from which Isabelle claimed an unconverted try.
The Panthers failed to deal with the kick off, which ended with a lineout to the visitors but a big defensive effort led by Lauren drove Fleur backwards, forcing a turnover and a powerful carry by Chloe J, before clever offload to Carys, who made big yards down the wing again. The ball was recycled at the ruck, fed out by the ever-present Gail to Sian, but held up over the try line. But The Panthers went back for a 5m penalty, which was quickly taken by Chloe J for a try.
Clever play by props Kirsty and Angharad executed a switch move that the backs would be proud of and Lauren continued the move with an outrageous dummy to run in another try to make it 31-0. Before Carys set off on a sidestepping run to score from 50m out, again converted. And the Panthers rounded off an entertaining first half when Pearl made a big run before off-loading to Carys for another try to give The Panthers a massive 43-0 lead at half time.
Another powerful run by Pearl opened up the defence for Faye to score a long-range try and conversion before she found a gap to make a break, finished off by Fi after strong runs from. Kirsty and Fi, who claimed yet another try for Fi.
A good defensive effort by Kirsty, Jamie, Angharad and Lauren, forced them backwards. Huge counter ruck by Kirsty led to scrum us. Pearl pick up and drive, offload to Faye for The Panthers’ final try.
But Fleur had the final say with a late converted try as reward for their never-say-die spirit against a Panthers’ team which is playing with real determination – and reaping the reward under coach Rob Griffiths.
Pembroke Panthers: Kirsty Fisher, Jamie Mosely, Angharad Scourfield, Danielle La Rousa, Emma Taylor, Isabelle Dufrenoy, Lauren Morgan, Pearl Van Ellis, Gail John, Chloe Jones, Fi Griffiths, Sian Rees, Lottie Bird, Carys Slack Rhiannon Griffiths, Vicki Weatherall, Lucy Neale, Chloe Beynon, Faye Strattford