Back to earth

Novos were missing No less than 5 of last years championship winning back line and 4 of the forwards that strode to glory last season. Never the less the Panthers were disappointed with a showing against last years divison 2 runners up.

There were positives, an encouraging display at stand off by rugby rookie Laura Atkinson and some typical power play from the forwards caused Morpeth all problems, especially in the scrummage, but ultimately Morpeth had backs and we didnt, which led to Novos being out paced out wide which is where Morpeth's 7 tries were crafted.

Coaches Chris Fife and Dave Addison, whilst never happy with a defeat laughed off the significance of the result as totally irrelevant in the grander scheme of things and with the return of the likes of Rachel Cooper, Janette Shaw and a host of others we will be a very different proposition when we visit Camp Hill next week.

It does however serve as a timely reminder that this season will be much tougher than the last with the quality of opposition far in advanced of last season when the ladies swept all before them in an unbeaten campaign.