The Panthers got off to a bad start with North Ribblesdale scoring in the first minute of the game. The next 20 minutes of the game was all North Ribblesdale, they had all the possession and scored a further couple of tries. During this period Penrith started to find their feet and the defence grew in strength, they were more organised and the first up tackles started to stick.
The Panthers then gained some possession, this enabled the team to score their debit try as an outfit! It was a well worked moved, Caron Davidson picked up from 8 at the scrum, offloaded to Sarah Doyle who fed the ball to fullback Josie Scrimgour who beat two defenders to score under the posts. Helena Scullion added the conversion. This perked the panthers up and the game evened out with both sides sharing possession. The game became a tight affair and both sides showed some great defence.
After half time it was decided to try contested scrums, this would be the first time the Panthers have scrummaged against a live opposition, and they held their own! North Ribblesdale scored a further 3 tries in the last 20 minutes leaving the score at 41-7. Throughout the game the Penrith side improved massively as individuals and as a team and you could start to see what has been done in training appearing on the field. They will look to keep the momentum going in two weeks when they travel to Skipton Roses. A further 6 players made their debut for the Panthers and slotted into the team nicely.
Penrith Panthers Ladies
Kirsty Yates, Katie Jackson, Jackie Thompson, Emma Adams, Diane Gibson, Amy Wright (VC), Hannah Turnbull, Caron Davidson (C), Linzi Jenkins, Helena Scullion, Liz Brook, Jenny Brown, Lauren Strand, Ella Purdy, Josie Scrimgour, Bea Barnes, Sarah Doyle, Sophie Gilmour, Sarah Halliwell, Heather Hutchinson