PANTY started the new year with a hard fought win against a big ’Sawel side.

The game started with the visitors using their large pack to great effect as they played keep ball rugby to work the home defence to the maximum.

After conceding a score on the half hour mark, Panty were able to get some field position and, on their first real attack, up popped the livewire Nick James to dab down.

James added the extras as well as a penalty to send Panty in at the break with a small lead.

Llansawel kept to their tactics in the second half and Panty needed intervention from Julian Davies and the experience of Carl Woodford to shore up the scrum.

With reinforcements making their presence felt, Panty ploughed forward and a tiring visiting pack was forced to infringe many times at a five-metre scrum, leaving the ref no option but to award a penalty try.

Panty hung on to seal the win and will now be looking to kick on with the campaign.