The Redbacks crossed the closest border again to play the 4 time current champions, who were unbeaten for 3 years! With West Indies playing Sri Lanka at the main stadium, parking was tight and one of our cars was sent away from the site. Once all was cleared it was back to business on the field.

The Panthers started at a cracking pace, with Owain Ryland, Morris Attard and Dave Gamble taking it like a hurricane to the Wiltshire club. Lee Tarn was dominating the hitouts, but the clearances were in favour of the Panthers, who confidently moved the ball forward and got the board moving for them at an alarming rate. This continued through the quarter and it seemed that no Redback could line up a decent tackle, or shepherd, much of the ball was forced and there was pair work. Gamble was a real handful up front and booted 3, Josh Davey, big Sam Owen and Nick Lewis also notched one each for a six goal Panther quarter! The Redbacks got one back from Pete Woodall but at quarter knew they were under the pump, though the work rate was sound, it just needed a 10% lift in quality.

This quality started to present itself in the second quarter through the midfield of Tarn, Tom Case, Rob Fielder and captain Rory ‘Rhino’ Auld. Tarn’s tap work though not finding hand every time was where the Redbacks wanted it and with some small adjustments the clearances started to pull in the Redbacks favour. The handball game lifted and more space was found for improved penetrating kicks forward. The forward line of Dan Horscroft , Woodall and Liam Ralph increased their frontal pressure and this paid big dividends, resulting in a goal for each of them. Tarn also notched two after following up the play forward. The Panthers still tackled hard around the ground and Gamble scored another to keep the Welsh team in front by 8 points at half time. It was anybody’s game.

The 3rd quarter started at a frenetic pace with both teams trying to exert control. The Redbacks, edged ahead for the first time in the game thanks to the increased form of the defence of Chris Matthews, Feiolim Gatley and the energetic Mitchell Curtis who just loves the physical side. Vice captain Luke Cottis marshalled the defence superbly with voice and deed, as a unit much pressure was put on the Panthers’ power forwards slowing their scoring rate, though the high behind count showed the Panthers were right in the game. Redbacks legend Case got on the score sheet with a fine effort, Ralph blew away defenders with his pace for another, followed by two for skipper Auld with typically powerful bursts forward.

The last quarter was pretty even, neither side could quite break away, with chances on both sides not being taken. Davey gave the Welsh side hope with a typical effort. However, great pressure by Horscroft led to goals from Woodall and Ralph sealing an excellent win to blow the league wide open.

Panthers – Q1. 6.4.42 Q2. 7.10.54 Q3. 7.15.59. Final Score - 8.21.69
Redbacks – Q1. 1.4.10. Q2. 6.6.42. Q3. 10.9.69. Final Score - 12.14.86

Panthers goal scorers: Gamble 4, Davey 2, Owen 1, Lewis 1.
Redbacks goal scorers: Tarn 2, Horscroft 1, Woodall 3, Case 1, Auld 2, Ralph 3
Redbacks men of the match: Mitchell Curtis and Lee Tarn.

This Saturday sees Chippenham Redbacks welcome Swansea Magpies to Chippenham RFC Allington fields with a 2pm KO