Supercup

Seven Sisters 33 Penybanc Panthers 59

Penybanc Panthers resumed their Supercup challenge at Premiership Seven Sisters.

The visitors were boosted by the return of their regional U18s players for what was likely to be their toughest encounter to date.

The hosts looked set to dominate proceedings with their formidable pack, but their gameplan was immediately undone when, from the kick-off, the Panthers unleashed their rapid back-line and the ball found its way to debutant Angharad Desmett who ran the length of the field after a neat break by centre pair Beth Jones and Brittony Price to register the first of her four tries.

The early score had settled Panther nerves and, almost immediately from the restart, another debutant Hannah Stiles - on permit for the cup from Kidwelly - showed her class by powering through the home defence before unleashing Price, who strolled in from half way to score. Captain Catrin Rees converted.

Seven bounced back and their heavy pack trucked up field to power over from a metre out.

But with the visitors’ backs well organised by outside-half Jodie Williams, slick skills Desmett race in again to register a fantastic solo try. Rees again converted.

Desperate to avoid a forwards battle, the Panthers spread the ball at every opportunity and the outstanding Price sprinted clear of the home defence to score under the posts.

Seven showed their experience, working the ball well among their forwards, and powered their way over from short range to register a score.

By now though the panthers knew what they had to do and a powerful push With the contrast in tactics clear, Jones unleashed Price again to race in over the whitewash. Rees converted.

Seven continued to batter the young Panthers with the pick-up-and-drive, which earned them another score before the break.

The second half began just like the first, with the impressive Desmett showing strength and maturity beyond her years to add another great try.

Not to be outdone, the smiling assassin Price registered her fourth score and Rees converted.

Undeterred, Seven showed their Premiership mentality and added another touchdown when their prop crossed out wide before they added a fifth soon after to make for a nervy finish.

However, the impressive Alisha Butcher finished after a great pass inside by Williams to settle the encounter before player of the match Desmett rounded things off with a final score, which Rees duly converted.

Panthers coach Mathew Brayley said: “This has to be our greatest victory to date.

“The youngsters stood up to the challenge with our forwards deserving huge praise for giving the platform for the backs to flourish.

“The most pleasing thing is that we have international Hannah Jones and a few others to return so our squad is now very strong in depth and there is a real competition for places.

“We’ve worked hard over the last few weeks and it’s nice to see it paying off.”

The Panthers host Maesteg Celtic on Sunday (KO 2.30pm)