Three We Go

Both Teams knew there was all to play for in this game as it was likely to have a major say into the league standings at the end of the season. A win for the Bengals, and they would only trail by points difference, but a win for the Panthers, and they would push the gap to four points.

The U15’s had the first kick-off of the day, and elected to kick to the Bengals. A good opening defensive set, following kick-off errors from both teams, saw the Panthers retrieve the ball at their own 35m, and build a solid set to the 10m. Good pressure again from the defence, forced the Bengals into an early error, and the green and black took advantage to post the first points of the game.

The Bengals union style kick-off ended too short, but the penalty was strangely reversed giving the visitor a set of six from the Panthers 20m, which they seized on to level the score.

The Panthers, though were calm, having conceded first in the cup final two weeks ago against the same team, and set about establishing a defensive dominance. A second strong defensive set saw the ball regained on the Bengals own 30m and from the resulting scrum, drove into the red zone. Moving the Bengals left then right, before scoring just to the right of the sticks. Score 10 – 4

This time there was to be no levelling score, as the Panthers were now playing possession rugby league. Pinning the Bengals back in their own half, defending hard so they could receive the ball back around midfield giving them a score every second possession three times on the bounce.

The Bengals only reprieve was through a Panthers offload which went straight to the visitors, giving them a gift of a score ten minutes before the half-time whistle.

The Panthers did respond, following good defensive pressure, stretching the lead, only to see that significant advantage put in jeopardy by a flurry of cards for both teams just before the half-time whistle. Half-time score 32 - 4

The Panthers half-time team talk was now a very different affair, as the coach warned about any further reaction to opposition actions. Now the rest of the team would have to work much harder to maintain momentum.

Fortunately, with a good bench, the Panthers were able to rotate frequently allowing the green and black to maintain their defensive dominance. Indeed, if anything, the Panthers defence became stronger. Only conceding one unconverted try in the whole of the second half.

In attack, the team were happy to run their patterns and make the pitch, and the additional space on both sides count, posting two scores in quick succession, breaking any Bengal notion of a second half comeback. Score 42 – 10

The Panthers added a second-half third, before the Bengals made their numerical advantage counts out wide, but that was to be their only contribution to the scoreboard in the second half.

Two further scores from the Panthers, notched up the 60 points for the game, giving them the breathing space at the top of the table which they were looking for.

The Panthers U15’s now look to see who they will draw in the cross-conference games, the first of which is in two weeks time. Final score 60 - 14