Fixture

This was a hugely anticipated contest as the top two teams in the league went head to head to decide who topped the league at the end of the year. A large crowd was not disappointed with the effort and endeavour of the two sides with neither taking a backward step all afternoon. Whiteheads playing with a very strong wind at their backs in the first period were first on the scoresheet with a penalty goal. However Panteg’s pivot Gwatkin goaled two enormous kicks into the teeth of the gale for an unlikely lead. Whiteheads soon levelled with another kick before Gwatkin brilliantly gathered a kick through for the game’s opening try. Whiteheads narrowed the gap with another penalty but New Panteg were buoyed to turn around at the interval with the elements firmly in their favour and a two point lead.

It is no coincidence that Whiteheads have gone unbeaten for so long as they proceeded to dominate the second period keeping the game tight in the face of difficult conditions. They employed a close support game coupled with clever offloading which resulted in three well worked tries and a comfortable lead. New Panteg were desperate to maintain their unbeaten record and threw everything at the hosts and replacement scrum half Winstone dummied over for a score converted by Gwatkin. With only five points separating the teams it was a nervous finish but Whiteheads clung on for a deserved win.

There are difficult games in store for both teams so the league is far from being decided at this early stage and bonus points will be vital for all sides with aspirations of promotion. Skipper Smith notched up another Man of Steel performance, putting his body on the line time and time again trying to inspire his young charges.