WWRU Cup - First Round

Seven Sisters 27 Penybanc Panthers 47

PENYBANC Panthers got their cup campaign off to winning start after beating Seven Sisters 47-27 in an entertaining contest.

Panthers travelled to Seven with a depleted squad due to injuries but still managed to secure victory.

Brittony Price settled any nerves right from the kick off as she received the ball and blasted her way through a few opponents to the try line.

However, if the Panthers felt that they were going to get it all their own way then Seven proved otherwise with a neat rolling mall resulting in their experienced prop crashing over.

The field was firm underfoot which allowed the talented Price to show her class and create two fantastic tries which were converted by Catrin Rees, who was in fine form both with ball in hand and boot.

The game was surprisingly open despite the conditions with both teams looking to play expansive rugby, which resulted in an entertaining game for the healthy crowd.

It was Seven who scored next with their lively outside half crossing for a fine try.

Late in the half, the Panthers seemed to lose their concentration, allowing Seven to cross for further tries and edge in front at the break.

In similar fashion to the first half, Panthers’ winger Erica Dixon showed a good turn of pace to cross for a fine try early on. Rees duly converted.

Seven responded positively with a nice try.

With the field showing signs of the recent weather, the lighter Penybanc made easier work of the conditions and produced three fine tries from Price, Alaw Hughes and Leanne Macbeth.

Having not played for a while and with so many unavailable this game was always going to be tough for the Panthers but they came through with flying colours and march through into the second round.

The win topped a great week for the Penybanc who saw the talented Alisha Butchers gaining her first senior national cap – representing Wales at the Dubai 7s.

The young Welsh team came away with silverware after beating Columbia in the final of the plate.

Another Panther, Holly Roderick, is swiftly making a name for herself in the weightlifting world having secured a second place in the Welsh national tournament.