In a match kindly sponsored by the Brass family of The Lakes Free Range Egg Co, the home coaching
team were expecting a close encounter with the Panthers having gained a narrow victory in the
away fixture. However, this was not to be the case, the team clicked almost immediately, the pack
dominated especially at the scrum and the backs were too quick and powerful for their opponents,
who to be fair, never gave up and did on occasion threaten the home line.

The first try resulted from a defensive kick which was fielded by full back Abi Lester she linked with
centre Campbell who found fly half Wood who fed winger Purdy, a return pass to Wood allowed the
stand-off a clear run to the corner she then stepped a couple of defenders to score an unconverted
try.

The second try was the result of a great turnover by Jenny Brown, the ball found its way to Lexi
Hodgson whose pace was too much for the cover to score near the posts. Wood added the
conversion.

Hodgson completed her hat-trick with two further tries converted by Wood and Lester, before
Campbell added the fifth try after a jinking run full off side steps from near the halfway line, again
converted by Wood.

Hodgson scored her fourth and Wood added her second which she converted making the score 45 -
0. The Panthers scored one more prior to half time when Amber Beatty got on the end of a handling
move and her pace took her over for an unconverted try.

The coaches shuffled the side around but this seemed to have little effect on the scoring. Rebecca
Grierson on, on the left wing found Sian Laud in support from the right wing and she outpaced the
cover from 30 metres to score. Wood added the conversion.

Hodgson after a brief spell off the pitch was reintroduced and added a further three tries taking her
personal tally to seven, with Grierson also getting on the score sheet. This was following a great line-
out move involving a peel around the front by Grainger, she was held up short but quick recycling by
the forwards allowed the backs space to put Grierson over in the corner.

Wood completed her hat-trick after an interception. Straight from the re-start Heather Grainger
caught the ball and set off straight at a tired visitors defence. She broke the line and bounced off a
couple of would be tacklers. Realising there was open ground ahead she accelerated and outpaced
the covering full-back to go 70 metres for a fantastic try. The conversion was missed.

Whilst in the main the backs did all the scoring – this was a great team effort. The forwards provided
a solid platform. Chloe Hanmer made some excellent runs, always presenting good ball for her
support. Bernie Willetts put in the hard yards rucking which did not go unnoticed and, as a whole,
the pack worked tirelessly to create time and space for their backs.

Match squad: C Hanmer, L Brook, D Hetherington, B Willetts, C Edmondson, J Brown, L Strand (capt),
H Grainger, S Laud, C Wood, E Purdy, E Campbell, L Hodgson, E Jackson, A Lester, N Winder, R Byers,
B Grierson, E Birkett, A Beatty, S Kidd.