Panthers on top against powerful Reds

Ladies Rugby - Welsh Rugby Union Merit League:

Pembroke Panthers 29 - Talbot Reds 12

Pembroke Panthers deservedly gained their fourth victory in six outings, playing some good rugby in the process as they entertained Talbot Reds at Crickmarren and won 29-12.

The Panthers played some cracking rugby in an entertaining first half where they led by 19-0 by using hard-won possession and good handling made sure that The Reds, who hail from Port Talbot, were often on the back foot.

Panthers pounce early on

Pembroke made early inroads as a strong run from  full back Rhiannon  Griffiths set up the platform for  prop Kirsty Fisher and flanker Isabelle Dufresnoy to feature with charging runs before a speedy release allowed scrum half Gail John to set her backs in motion so that play was spread wide and No 10 Chloe James was perfectly placed to score the game's opening try.

Boosted by this score The Panthers had winger Jenny Tanner and and centre Meg Boorman able to initiate another attack and after another trademark Dufresnoy charge  a clever off-load to Lauren Morgan, who utilised the space to run 50 metres to the posts and Chloe Jones added the extra points.

Continued hard work from the likes of forwards Abbey Price, Angharad Scourfield,  Emma Taylor, Lucy Neale and Pearl Van Ellis allowed the ball to be transferred to Chloe Beynon, having her best game wide out so far, and she supplied the final pass for centre Jenny Tanner to score on her eagerly-awaited debut - and Chloe Jones again converted.

Reds restart well – but Panthers play really well thereafter

Talbot Reds started the second half with an unconverted try from an uncharacteristic mix-up in The Panthers' camp but the home side fought back with a charging run from replacement Fi Griffiths that almost earned them a try - but  had a Reds' player yellow carded in the process. and Panthers'  winger Charlotte Johnson showed her class by popping up a lovely pass for Pearl Van Ellis to cross the whitewash.

Van Ellis added her second try as reward for another dynamic display at No 8 and although Talbot Reds had the last word with a converted try it was a victory for The Panthers that showed their commitment, with all the replacements also coming on and playing their part.

Coach Rob Griffiths was understandably delighted by the result and told us,

"This was the beat all-round performance we have played so far. We varied our game well, with the forwards showing as much commitment as ever and our back line looking really effective and always posing a threat. Talbot Reds were a really tough team but we stayed focussed and got the result we deserved."

Pembroke Panthers: Rhiannon Griffiths: Chloe Beynon; Charlotte Johnson; Meg Boorman; Jenny Tanner: Chloe Jones; Gail John: Kirsty Fisher; Abbey Price; Angharad Scourfield: Emma Taylor; Lucy Neale: Isabelle Dufresnoy; Lauren Morgan; Pearl Van Ellis. Replacements: Leanne Panton; Anna Mae McBeth; Vicki Wetherall; Fi Griffiths; Tyenne Morgan; Bex Partridge.