Chesterfield Panthers RUFC President's Corner

Panthers rugby squads girls and boys, minis, juniors and seniors were out in force throughout the weekend with games home and away and I’ve included excerpts from several of their match reports.

Chesterfield Panthers are committed to rugby for all, young, old, girls boys, men and women and this weekend was an exemplary example of the results of that commitment.

There’s also included a report from our recently formed football teams which we are proudly developing alongside and shows the clubs commitment to team sports for all.

Chesterfield Panthers Under 7s

Panthers Under 7s fielded 2 teams against visitors Doncaster and Tupton. These were their first home games of the season and there were noticeable signs of progress following their first outing at Nottingham Paviors two weeks ago. Both visiting teams showed real commitment from the off and Panthers were up for the challenge. Quick to form in attack, the committed support play helped with the speedy offloads and plenty of running rugby.

Great to see players starting to find their voice and getting organised in attack and defence although a little over eagerness lead to some players running out of the line.

Another solid performance with the players showing great teamwork and sportsmanship throughout, we're really looking forward to seeing how the squad progresses over the season.

Under 9s

Panthers Under 9s also welcomed Tupton and three strong Doncaster teams for what turned out to be a frenetic series of games in our first home fixture of the season.

A well organised Doncaster tested our mix of established and new players, who initially found it difficult to get hold of the game especially in contact and at the breakdown. Panthers grew with each half and closed the day out matching the visitors efforts and frustrating them with great line speed, some superb off loads and some great footwork.

Another fantastic performance, early in the season and with huge potential for the rest of the season.

Under 10s

Panthers under 10s played 3 games vs Doncaster Blue, Doncaster Red and Tupton, a tough day for any team!

They started off slow however after waking up they decided to turn on the style scoring some excellent tries and making some strong tackles from turnovers.

It was Doncaster Reds up next, and Panthers were all at sea and an organised Doncaster highlighted the difference between organised and not so!

Tupton was the final game, The friendly local rivalry was out in full bloom with tough competition. All the kids were tired, this was very close with some excellent rugby played by both sides.

Under 11s

Tupton and Doncaster also brought teams to compete with our Under 11s and bought a strong contingent offering a real challenge.

Although the results didn’t go Panther’s way, there were plenty of positives on show with the team welcoming several new players out on the pitch today. Growing each age group is a key driver for all clubs and that welcoming spirit and getting new players involved early is a key element.

There were some brilliant individual performances too, with awards for Top Try Scorer, Boom Town Tackler, Players of the Match (this week awarded to a brother and sister combo playing I the same team! A special mention also went to one of our long-standing players who was awarded Toughest Player to Play Against by the Doncaster team — fantastic recognition from the opposition.

As ever team morale and camaraderie, supporting each other and getting on with the game, whatever the score is a lesson learned on the rugby pitch and to take into every area of life. That determination, resilience and team spirit are just as important as the results.

Panthers U12s

Continuing their rebuild and progress with a mix of experienced and new players. Playing a settled Doncaster Knights team was always going to be a big ask with so many of the Panthers players playing only their first or second match!

There were some fantastic tackles and great breaks from all players new and experienced forcing Doncaster to play. A really dynamic game and both teams showed intent and dynamism throughout.

Doncaster played some really good rugby and our new players learnt a lot about what it takes to succeed at this great sport. Those new players and our not so new players played some good rugby and showed great commitment and courage.

This team has great potential and there is a real excitement about the season ahead.

Under 13s

Panthers U13 travelled to Paviors in Nottingham for their first competitive match of the season. A massive step up for this age group, moving up to juniors, larger pitch and 13 a side.

The sun shone down creating a perfect day for rugby and the teams didn’t disappoint. A great showing from both sides with excellent structure and rugby all round.

Panthers were the eventual winners with some really strong running, crunching tackles and powerful scrummaging to take the game out of the reach of the opposition.

The lads hard work on the training pitch for last few weeks really showed. They have been committed, eager to learn and full of energy. They got what they deserved in a fantastic win leaving coach’s and parents as proud as can be.

Junior Girls

Three of our junior girls’ teams had games today as part of the Derbyshire Dragons cluster.

The u12s were away and lost out to a strong opposition at West Park Leeds.

The u16 and u18s had County Cup games with u18s losing out to Long Eaton, and the u16s winning their contest against a combined Dronfield/Sheffield Tigers team. T

Te u14’s cup game was postponed, so training was planned for them as they ready themselves for their next contest.

Senior Rugby

Two great games at Dunston Road on Saturday with the 2nd XV out against a depleted Hemsworth and the 1st XV against Mansfield’s 2nd XV. Both teams won comfortably though each match was competitive with the 1st XV posting a 84 -12 win and the seconds a 52 -12 win.

They were two very different games. The 1st XV were organised and stuck to their game plan, fitness was a factor in both games, and the 2nd XV scored several breakout tries , often against the run of play.

What was particularly satisfying for the teams was the number of last year’s U18 COLTS returning to play for Chesterfield Panthers and continuing their rugby careers with their local team.

Chesterfield Panthers RUFC Football

U11 Whites, October league cup winners

The team pulled together really well all working hard for each other and finding the energy they needed to create space and chances, especially through midfield with goals made from six of Panthers football players.

Sit was the team’s battling qualities and movement that were standout and it must have been hard to find a Player of the Match as it was truly a team performance.