The Under 10’s winning run came to an end against a well drilled Folly Lane team at Southlands. The match started just as the heavens opened making handling difficult and both sides made early mistakes handing over possession in the rain.

Folly Lane took the lead with a strong individual try, our defence has been improving over recent weeks but lapses, especially when a big lad takes the ball up, highlights the Panthers need to ‘go for the legs’, the cry regularly going out from the coaches and parents. The rain eased and the Panthers struck back with a try from strong running as usual by Joe Hackett. The game was a real competitive affair with a further try a piece before half time, Thomas Williams taking the ball in from close range. The adding of both conversions by the Panthers had them taking a half time lead of 12-8.

Early in the second half the Panthers looked to have extended their lead with a great move ending with a try by Howard Hackett, unfortunately the referee spotted that Howard and taken the ball just too far and had crossed the dead ball line. This appeared to spur the Folly Lane team on the they grew in strength running in 3 tries without reply despite some fantastic effort in defence by the Panthers with numerous try saving tackles being made. The team never gave in and nearly got back on the score sheet when Thomas Williams & Thomas Greenhalgh combined only to see the latter being forced into touch as he put the ball down for a try.

Final Score
Panthers 12
Folly Lane 26

This was a great test for the Panthers team, we had our biggest squad turn out of the season with 19 players which is a fantastic achievement. Lessons will be learnt but the positive approach from the boys (and girl) is very encouraging for the future and with more hard work on the training ground we will continue to ‘man up’ to the challenges ahead

Try scorers – Joe Hackett, Thomas Williams

Awards
Man of Match – Thomas Williams
Best Effort - Finlay McCarthy
Coaches Award - Morgan
Top Tackler – Charlie Mitchinson