Supercup

Penybanc Panthers 40 Maesteg Celtic 22

Following the completion of the Six Nations, both sides welcomed back their international stars – Hannah Jones for Penybanc and Ffion Bowen for Maesteg.

However, both were also depleted of players due to injuries and the Easter break but this did little to hamper a great advert for women’s rugby.

With a reshuffle in positions, the Panthers had an untested combination in the forwards and the backs but they quickly found into rhythm when skipper for the day Nerys Jenkins finished a slick passing sequence to score near the posts.

With Catrin Rees away, Jodie Williams took over the kicking duties and converted her first attempt.

The Panthers previous win against Premiership side Seven Sisters had given them a huge confidence boost and again they ran the ball at their Division One opponents, with Brittony Price showing silky skills to cross. Williams added the extras.

With the Panthers enjoying plenty of possession, it was not long before outside-half Jones picked up where she left off with a neatly taken try. Again Williams added the extras.

The impressive Alisha Butchers dominated offensively and defensively in midfield, giving Price the space to show her pace and cross again for a well-worked try. Williams again added the conversion.

Maesteg got themselves back into the game with a well-worked backs move which released their international to crash over the whitewash. They followed up soon after with another try to bring the first half to a close at 28-10.

The Panthers continued to look to run the ball despite the sticky surface and youngster Angharad Desmett scored the try of the match when she crossed for her fifth try in two games. Williams converted.

Quality sides will always create opportunities and the visitors took their chances to cross for a third.

The final try for the Panthers saw Jones rounding off an impressive return.

The visitors had the final word however and ran in a final score to make it 40-22 to the Panthers.

Coach Delyth Davies was delighted that her side had been able to carry last week’s impressive performance to secure another win.

The Panthers now have one final pool game against Whitland, which will also see the winner lift the Newsquest Cup, sponsored by the South Wales Guardian and the Western Telegraph, on Friday, April 3.