Good conditions saw Novos Panthers visit Morpeth Ladies for the first away match of the season. A depleted Morpeth side took to the field with just 13 players, giving the Panthers a distinct advantage with a strong team and even stronger bench waiting to get on.

A complacent Panthers began in earnest against a passionate Morpeth squad ensuring that this match would be no walkover. A string of penalties in Morpeth’s favour meant a difficult start for Novos, who struggled to get past a startlingly strong Morpeth defence.

After a tough beginning Novos efforts finally paid off when after 14 minutes Laura ‘Donkey’ Coleman scored her first try for the Panthers from Second Row. An equally tough 20 minutes followed with a bloody Captain Janette Shaw decisively reaching the line to make it 10 – nil before half time.

A reformed Panthers side headed onto the pitch for the second half, with a first minute try coming from scoring supremo Scrum Half Shauna Veitch, and a second coming just two minutes later from stalwart fullback Helen Kane, suffering an injury blow herself, not that you could tell!

With the try converted by Fly Half Ali McMullen, it took just a further six minutes for Back Row Kate Disley to cross the line with another forwards try. Morpeth hounded the Panthers with dogged determination but just couldn’t break through the Novos defence in the second half. Replacements Emily Yarrow, Racheal Moses, newby Christine Miller, Claire Gent and old favourite Jo Geary-Rathbone (post rib issues) came onto the pitch to rapturous affect, showing Novos have strength in depth when needed.

Another Shauna Veitch try with a Helen Kane conversion was all that the Panthers could squeeze out of this tough and wearying game, with Morpeth finally succumbing and needing to put into place uncontested scrums in the 68th minute. A hard fought win for Novos Panthers against hardy opposition!

Thanks go to the travelling supporters, subs and water girls, without whose support we’d have pretty rubbish matches!