In a hard fought contest, it was the free running of the home side backline which clinched the victory after a dogged effort by the pack which matched their far heavier opponents.

The Panthers started the game on fire and a powerful run from 2nd row Ramage set free the pacy Collins who evaded 3 would be tacklers to set up wing John Ryan for the 1st try. They controlled the game with several tries going begging, the worst being Patel touching down short of the line with nobody around him. They were made to pay for these misses when after 2 missed tackled, the Dronfield winger was left free to run in under the posts for a converted try. The Panthers are now made of sterner stuff and after fine work by Wooliscroft in the line out, the ball was moved swiftly across the back line for the bulky Alford to crash over for a try. Wooliscroft converted to leave the half time score as 12 point to 7 to The Panthers.

The hosts started the 2nd half on fire and Patel crossed out wide for an easy try. Not to be outdone, his centre partner Ryan McVeigh beat 3 would be defenders before powering over for a try. With 15 min remaining, the Panthers took off the dangerous centre McVeigh and the young prop Vito Gueritas, the Portuguse prop who has recently joined the club, and suddenly Dronfield came back into the game.

Two quick tries and one conversion left the score at 22 to 19 with the Panthers side looking as if they were on their last legs. But the Panthers weren’t going to be denied victory and hung on for a deserved victory. There were several excellent displays with McVeigh, Collins and Patel shining in the backs and Wooliscroft who dominated the lineout and excelling in the loose. But the Rutland Arms Man of the Match went to Braveheart himself Bruce Ramage.
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Next week, The Panthers start their campaign for Twickenham with a home game in the EDF Junior Vase against Skegness. Kick off is at 3pm at Oxcroft MWC.