Fixture

New Panteg continued their winning start to the season with their second win on the bounce against a very competitive Whitehead side. From the outset the hosts were in the ascendancy with the front row of Bartlett, Warren and Gibbons giving their opposite numbers a torrid time, running them backwards at every scrum. Despite having a much changed team from previous weeks due to injury and unavailability New Panteg dominated possession and territory in the first half and were rewarded with a try from a rampaging run by second row Dan Young who for a second successive week was outstanding. Gwatkin added the extras and together with a well struck penalty gave New Panteg a ten point lead at the interval. Daley at scrum half was dictating the game behind a superior forward pack, giving the backline a great platform to attack. Natthaphong and Carter were combining well in midfield to put width on the game giving speedsters Allcock, Munro and Hinwood opportunities out wide. However some very robust defence from the visitors denied Panteg of any good opportunities to increase their advantage and they managed to reduce the deficit with a well worked converted try of their own.  Within seconds of conceding New Panteg replied with the score of the game when Carter put Natthaphong through the smallest of gaps on halfway and as he was tackled short of the line a sublime pass to Gwatkin resulted in a brilliant score. Whiteheads continued to batter the Panteg line and scored a penalty for a well deserved losing bonus point, Second row Groves ably supported by back rowers Walters, Smith and Gardner were putting in a tremendous shift against heavier opponents and the competition for places in the back five is now extremely challenging.  The coaches will take some huge positives from a vastly improved performance from the previous week. The set piece was much improved and the error count was massively reduced from last week’s error strewn performance.   Dom Gibbons was named man of the match for his dominant performance in the set piece coupled with his magnificent ball carrying performance.