North Derbyshire Panthers travelled to Castle Donington for this NLD/N. Leics League match. Panthers knew Castle Donington would be brimming with confidence after beating North Kesteven by 60 points the previous weekend. Donington knew the Panthers style of rugby having come off the wrong end of a beating when the two sides met in a friendly last season and had decided to play the match once again on their narrower 2nd team pitch which suited Doningtons ten man style of rugby. The early exchanges were physical while the Panthers were finding their feet in the confined conditions. Bomber Graham missed his first attempt at goal, Donington then took the lead with a penalty. Shortly after Ivan Stevenson picked up the ball to storm through a host of would be tacklers and score under the posts, try converted by Graham. Before the break, Graham added three more points with a penalty to go into half time 3-10 in the lead.

Having given their all in the first half, Doningtons defence began to open up and tries soon followed. Well worked moves resulted in a brace of tries for Mark Liszka, then Rob Collins and Sam Patel with one each. Graham again converting all four second half tries. Panthers finishing the game 38-5 to the good.

Panthers now sit three points clear at the top of NLD/N.Leics. Next weekend sees second placed Stamford RFC travel to Oxcroft in what will be a tricky league fixture.

Tries: Liszka 2, Collins, Stevenson, Patel
Cons: Bomber 5
Pens: Bomber

15 Collins, 14 Stevenson, 13 Patel, 12 Liszka M, 11 Splinter, 10 Floppy Haired Kiwi, 9 Campbell, 8 White, 7 Locke, 6 Dawson, 5 Francisco, 4 Williams, 3 Titley, 2 McFly, 1 Renshaw, Reps: Skank, Broomhead, Wellington Boot