Tigers maul Panthers
After a somewhat disjointed season of numerous cancelled matches, the Oxford Panthers faced the Cambridge Tigers in their annual varsity match.
Following their loss to the Tigers last year, the Dark Blues, led by skipper Mary Stewart, were determined for a win. Yet in the closing minutes of the match they were denied the victory they craved as a converted Cambridge try brought the final score to 10-17.
For the first quarter of the match the Panthers dominated and the Tigers found themselves on the back foot, overwhelmed by a tide of dark blue. The first try duly came from fly half Keshena Richardson, exploiting gaps in the centre.
The Tigers responded to the try with one of their own, a quick tap penalty five yards out catching the Panthers' defence unawares. The try was converted to give the Light Blues the half-time lead by a narrow seven points to five.
The greater size and strength of the Tigers pack began to take its toll, and despite the efforts of hooker Kate Rennoldson it became increasingly difficult to secure the scrum ball.
The Panthers found themselves on the back foot, but it seemed that all the tackling practice under the careful supervision of coaches Jane Bass and Chris Stone had paid off as the Tigers failed to penetrate the defence.
Some outstanding cover tackles were made by left wing Silvia Parrachini, but as the Tigers played phase after phase of attack their winger was able to break through and score.
Refusing to give up, the Panthers showed true grit with great work put in from the back row of Julia Kendrick, Rachel Mawle and vice-captain Rachel Thomas.
Thomas was rewarded with a try, powering over the line after the Tigers were caught unawares by a quick tap penalty from full back Mary Stewart.
The game grew very tense with the score 12-10, and only 10 minutes of the match remaining. Richardson and player of the match Nathalie Lopez were solid in the midfield, combining impressive tactical kicking and ferocious tackling.
The Tigers however, still had the run of play, but the Panthers pack gallantly kept them from driving over the line.
However, with only five minutes to go the Tigers' pressure paid off as their number 8 drove over the line to finish the match 17-10.
This was a performance full of guts and determination from the Panthers. With fixtures few and far between it was never going to be an easy match. Despite the result captain Mary Stewart was proud of the team's collective and individual performance, as the Panthers truly rose to the occasion.
Team: Fountain, Rennoldson, Boardman, Galley, Evans, Kendrick, Mawle (Antill), Thomas, Saffhill, Richardson, Parrachini, Lopez, Jones, Wooler (Tringham), Stewart (c).
3rd May 2001