Women’s Rugby Division Two

Penallta 5 Penybanc Panthers 46

Penybanc Panthers journeyed east in search of a winning start to life in Division 2 against Penallta ladies with a full 22-strong squad despite four out injured and two summer signings away on international 7s duty giving a clear indication of the side’s phenomenal rise in popularity.

Penallta looked set to be a tough opening fixture for the newly-promoted Panthers.

The hosts are a seasoned Division Two side and their physical advantage ensured the leaner and fitter Panthers’ game-plan would be a simple one – to run, and run, and run.

Penallta made their intentions clear from the off with a late hit on the impressive Jo Taylor.

The referee was having no one of it however.

The Panthers’ captain fantastic Catrin Rees - a thorn in the Penallta side all afternoon - took a quick penalty and set her backs racing towards the line, but they were held up short.

The visitors continued to press and only scrambled Penallta defence could stop outstanding winger May Acreman from touching down.

The resulting scrum offered up the surprise of the day as the Panthers pushed the far heavier host pack around the field.

With the Penallta eight back-pedalling, the ball was fed to Brittony Price who opened her league account from five metres out on seven minutes.

With confidence soaring the Panthers rekindled the silky, skilful rugby of last season and on 16 minutes. Price spotted a gap and raced through for her second. Skipper Rees added the extras.

New coach Delyth Davies’ hard work with the forwards had paid dividends and the visitors dominated against the heavier and taller pack, leading to turn over after turnover in the set plays.

With the Panthers camped in the Penallta half, Rees who bamboozled the defence for an unconverted score on 25 minutes.

Three minutes later Price registered her hat-trick. Again Rees converted.

On 38 minutes and with the Panthers rampant, great set-up play from back-rowers Chloe Davies, Dayna Mepham and Amy Jenkins, set Price running again and she raced home for her fourth to give the visitors a 27-0 half-time lead.

The second period started as the first had ended and great work by second rows Sophia Klitou and Laura Powell saw them charge up field before some fine link-up play amongst the backs released young prop Danielle Jenkins to power home.

With the game won, the Panthers coaching staff rung the changes and introduced three debutants, all of whom acquitted themselves superbly.

The stand-out however was Danielle Davies who tackled everything that came her way and was unlucky not to register a try.

Against the run of play and following four straight penalties Penallta got within touching distance of the line and duly crossed to score.

With their fur ruffled, the Panthers picked up the pace to finish with a flourish as centre Angharad Edwards crossed to score on 62 minutes.

Unsurprisingly though it was left to player of the game Price to claim the final word as she raced in for a fifth on 67 minutes. Rees converted to ease the visitors to an impressive 46-5 win.

Coach Hywel Thomas said: “We are delighted with today’s performance but we certainly won’t get carried away. It’s a long season and we still have areas to improve but very happy to get maximum points on the opening weekend.

Delyth Davies added: “I’m delighted for the girls, they’ve worked so hard in pre-season and it has paid off.

“We have a lot of new girls who applied themselves brilliantly, and we now have strength in depth.”

The Panthers entertain Haverfordwest on Sunday with the visitors still smarting from their Super Cup final defeat (KO 2.30pm)