Monday 17th March 2014

Belper 1st XV 20 - 44 Chesterfield Panthers 1st XV
Midlands 4 East (North) League
Saturday 15th March 2014

Chesterfield Panthers achieved what they promised to do when they moved to their new £1.8 million ground and facilities in Dunston - achieve promotion.

A victory away against Belper on Saturday not only secured the mighty Panthers their 14th win in a row, but also promotion. Now all they need to do is continue their winning streak until the end of the season and take the top position in the table.

Chesterfield Panthers came into their 19th game of the season still having only lost one game all year, requiring only one point to secure promotion.

After a somewhat scrappy performance the previous week, Chesterfield were eager to return to the flowing style of rugby that had seen them score so many points this season.

Conditions were excellent, suiting Panthers style of rugby, yet it was Belper who came out of the blocks first and caught Chesterfield snoozing and, following some unforced errors and some poor tackling, it was Belper who opened the scoring, fortunately missing the conversion.

This seemed to spark Panthers into action and they settled into their well-drilled game plan through initial carries in the forwards by prop Mark Coward and stand in second-row Alex Hughes.

Chesterfield forwards began with complete dominance at the scrum leading to several penalties that Chris Ward was able to kick into the corner giving Chesterfield field position.



Further dominance at the lineout (above), saw Alex Allen begin, as he would continue, by safely taking several lineout throws.

One of the lineouts led to a ruck where great vision by Man of the Match and Captain, scrum-half Steve Avenier, (left), saw him scoot down the sideline to open the scoring for Chesterfield.

Panthers immediately came back at Belper and, within moments, carried through the centre of the park by Johnny Ryan and Chris Windle saw Luke Holt bulldoze over the line for a trademark try for the number 8.

During the next period, Chesterfield still showed some rust, after several more unforced errors gave Belper field position. Then poor discipline gave Belper a string of penalties, leading to Belper taking 3 points from one such indiscretion.

Following this period of dominance, Panthers were able to break out down the left side and excellent work at the breakdown by Rob Davidson and Andy Hughes created quick ball that once again allowed Steve Avenier to scoot over the line from close range. Kicking duties had passed to Chris Ward who slotted the conversion.

Chesterfield finished the first half carrying momentum and after several crash balls through the middle by inside centre Chris Ward, who got them close to the line, but Chesterfield were unable to extend their lead of 9 points by half-time.

HT: Belper 8 Chesterfield Panthers 17

Tom Rice and Derek Sherlock offered up some choice advice at half-time and Panthers came into the second half carrying the momentum they had picked up from the first half.

It was then that Chesterfield, who enjoyed a string of penalties and possession, saw an early try from Phil Cawthorne after reacting very quickly from a turn over, sprinting 40m down the touch line to score. Conversion missed.

Panthers again came straight back at Belper and a well worked move down the blind side saw the opposite winger Tye Rose (left), touch down in the corner. Converted by Chris Ward.

Belper deserved credit for not rolling over at this point as they reacted quickly and caught Panthers asleep once again at a quick-tap penalty, to allow their flanker to score under the posts, that was also converted by the full-back to make the score 29-15.

Fitness began to show as the game moved into the final period.

Chesterfield continued to enjoy complete dominance at the scrum and lineout and it was from two such turnovers at the scrum that first allowed fly-half Rob Collins to run in untouched following some neat interchanging from backs, and another try for wing Phil Cawthorne in the corner following an excellent counter attack from full-back Glenn Grayson.

Belper continued to lack discipline and this once again allowed Panthers to kick to the corners.

Following another superb catch and drive from Alex Allen, it was Tom Rice who was to complete the scoring for Chesterfield with a trademark snipe from the bottom of a ruck in the corner.

Belper went on to finish off the game with a well taken try despite a thunderous double tackle from substitute Joe Walton and Andy Hughes that knocked the scrum-half out in the process of scoring Belper's final points of the match.

FT: Belper 20 Chesterfield Panthers 44

Chesterfield completed a well-taken five-point victory that now sees them unbeaten in 14 games and now guaranteed promotion.

Tries:
Steve Avenier (2), Phil Cawthorne (2), Tye Rose (1), Rob Collins (1),
Luke Holt (1), Tom Rice (1).
Conversions: Chris Ward (2)

Man of the Match: Steve Avenier

PANTHERS:
Mark Coward, Robert Davidson, Callum Draycott, Alex Allen, Alex Hughes,
Andy Hughes, Chris Windle, Luke Holt, Steve Avenier (c), Rob Collins,
Chris Ward, John Ryan, Tye Rose, Phil Cawthorne, Glenn Grayson.
Subs: Tom Rice, Joe Walton, Daniel Shum

NEXT GAME:
Saturday, 22nd March 2014
Chesterfield Panthers away to Cleethorpes

RECENT STORIES

PANTHERS END SEASON ON A HIGH WITH 50 POINTS. MATCH REPORT -
The last match of the season and Panthers were determined to go out in style, and they did!
More...

PANTHERS ARE CROWNED CHAMPIONS AFTER A 28 YEAR WAIT! -
Chesterfield Panthers 1st XV have been crowned league champions - for the first time in over 25 years, following their confirmation of promotion, Chesterfield cruised to victory over Keyworth RUFC on Saturday 5th April with a 90 - 0 win. More...

PANTHERS ON TARGET TO BE CROWNED
CHAMPIONS -
Chesterfield travelled to Cleethorpes on a coach trip with their barmy army of fans - who outnumbered the home team's supporters - and created a great atmosphere for the Panthers. More...

PANTHERS BACK ON VICTORY TRAIL AFTER FOUR WEEK BREAK. MATCH REPORT -
After four weeks without any action, Chesterfield Panthers were fired up ready to continue where they had left off and eager to strengthen their position at the top of the league away to Worksop. More...

DIFFICULT CONDITIONS SEE PANTHERS RETURN
TO WINNING WAYS -
Chesterfield returned to winning ways after being held to a draw at Amber Valley two weeks ago, even without several key players, including the majestic Tom Rice, Panthers still fielded a strong squad. More...

TOUGH LOCAL DERBY AND A 10th WIN ON THE BOUNCE KEEPS PANTHERS ON TOP -
Chesterfield Panthers were on the hunt for a double against their local rivals Tupton on Saturday, to further increase their lead at the top of the table. More...

CHESTERFIELD PANTHERS STAY TOP OF THE TABLE AFTER ANOTHER WIN -
Panthers travelled to league opposition Nottinghamians in high spirits following their recent run of form that's taken them to the top of the table for the first time in over 10 years. More...

CHESTERFIELD PANTHERS WIN AGAIN DESPITE AN INJURY DEPLETED PACK -
After last week's convincing 47-0 win over Cleethorpes at home, Panthers, with an injury depleted pack and carrying no recognised second row, travelled to Keyworth More...

PANTHERS WIDEN THE GAP TO THIRD WITH WIN OVER WORKSOP. MATCH REPORT -
Chesterfield Panthers 1st XV faced Worksop RUFC, who currently sit seventh in the league, behind Panthers' who are in second place. More...

ANOTHER WIN FOR CHESTERFIELD PANTHERS 1st XV. MATCH REPORT -
Panthers played away to Bingham last weekend who, despite their lowly position in the league, are no push-over, having played most of the top sides and not conceded many tries. More...

PANTHERS RETURN TO WINNING WAYS AGAINST BELPER. MATCH REPORT -
This weekend's fixture against Belper, proved that Chesterfield Panthers 1st XV has returned to their winning form and are proving a formidable team to beat on their home turf. More...

PANTHERS' NEW GROUND TO BE USED FOR LEICS TIGERS TRAINING CAMP -
England and Lions centre Manu Tuilagi & England under-20s international Ryan Bower, have been confirmed as visitors at the Rugby Camp being held at Chesterfield Panthers' new ground during half term. More...

WASPS CHARLIE DAVIES VISITS PANTHERS FOR A TRAINING SESSION -
Rugby pro Charlie Davies, 23, returned to his former club, Chesterfield Panthers recently, to coach more than 30 of the club's seniors at its brand new home ground in Dunston. More...

NIBE PITCHES IN
WITH CHESTERFIELD PANTHERS SPONSORSHIP -
Chesterfield-based NIBE Energy Systems has announced it is a proud sponsor of local rugby club Chesterfield Panthers RUFC. More...

CHESTERFIELD PANTHERS RUFC APPOINTS PR
AGENCY -
Chesterfield Panthers RUFC has appointed local PR agency - In the Works PR - to raise awareness of the 93-year old Club, following its move to a brand new, purpose-built ground in Dunston. More...

PANTHERS SECURE £50K FROM GAMES LEGACY FUND -
Chesterfield Panthers, the town's only rugby union club, has secured Olympic legacy funding from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities Fund. More...

END OF AN ERA FOR STONEGRAVELS -
After 85 years of rugby at the Stonegravels ground, this coming weekend will see the final games played at the Sheffield Rd home of Chesterfield Panthers RUFC More...

MATCH REPORTS 21st - 22nd APRIL 2012 -
The Panthers team made the long trip to the seaside for a game which was to establish the final league placing for both teams involved. More...

FORMER PANTHERS JUNIOR SIGNS WITH NORTHAMPTON SAINTS -
Ross McMillan, a former junior at Chesterfield Panthers, has signed a full contract at Aviva Premiership club Northampton Saints. More...

MATCH REPORTS 3rd - 4th MARCH 2012 -
A tight league encounter saw Panthers !st XV edge the game by the narrowest of margins to consolidate their mid table position with a last minute penalty. More...

PANTHERS KITTED OUT FOR WEATHER -
Chesterfield Panthers Under 11's have been kitted out with a set of waterproof training tops by local company FRANKE Sissons Ltd. More...

PANTHERS 3RD XV MATCH REPORT -
With this being the only Senior game to beat the frost, a bumper crowd saw what was a very tight and competitive game from start to finish. More...

MATCH REPORTS 10th- 11th DECEMBER 2011 -
A slow start saw Chesterfield Panthers 2nd XV gift five easy tries to the home team to trail
31-0 at the break. More...

MATCH REPORTS 3rd - 4th DECEMBER 2011 -
Still plagued by injuries Chesterfield travelled to East Retford with several replacements and came up against a strong home side. More...

PANTHERS FORM GUARD OF HONOUR FOR TIGERS -
Chesterfield Panthers U8's Rugby team had the honour last weekend of being invited to form the Guard of Honour at the Leicester Tigers v London Irish game More...

MATCH REPORTS 5th - 6th NOVEMBER 2011 -
An encouraging performance from the developing third team saw them push Belper close in a tight game. More...

MATCH REPORTS,
1st - 2nd OCTOBER 2011 -
In a close encounter, which could have been won by the Panthers, the Chesterfield team went down to a last minute try after competing throughout the game. More...

NIBE SUPPORT FOR CHESTERFIELD PANTHERS RUFC -
Panthers have recently benefited from a major sponsorship agreement with a leading local manufacturer NIBE Energy Systems Ltd More...

MATCH REPORTS,
9th - 10th APRIL 2011 -
With traffic delaying the Panthers arrival until 10 mins before ko, the game began with Nottinghamians taking the play to their visitors. More...

COUNCIL PRESENTS £750 CHEQUE TO PANTHERS -
The Panthers are delighted to have been the recipients of a grant of £750 from the DCC Leadership Fund More...

PANTHERS HOST ANNUAL TAG RUGBY FESTIVAL -
Chesterfield Panthers hosted the Annual Tag Rugby Festival for Junior schools from throughout the Borough at Stonegravels. More...

MATCH REPORTS,
26th - 27th MAR 2011 -
A strong first half performance and then some solid defensive work in the second period saw the Panthers win through More...

MATCH REPORTS,
12th - 13th MAR 2011 -
A decisive win by 6 tries to 1 over favourites Ashfield has put Chesterfield U14's into the Three Counties' Shield final. More...

MATCH REPORTS,
26th - 27th FEB 2011 -
Panthers 1st XV returned to winning ways with a comfortable league victory over Leesbrook. More...

MATCH REPORTS,
19th - 20th FEB 2011
AND OTHER NEWS -
The U13's earned a 3rd NLD Shield victory, topping their group and earning a semi final place, the 3rd squad from the Juniors to do so. More...

MATCH REPORTS,
5th - 6th FEB 2011 -
For the second week in a row, the Under 10's produced a feast of tries to beat a spirited Tupton team that never gave up trying. More...

MATCH REPORTS, 22nd - 23rd JAN 2011 -
Strong forward work through the 2nd half gradually broke Ilkeston's defence and on 70 mins, Fergus Wish scooped up a pass to crash over the line More...

MATCH REPORTS, 15th - 16th JAN 2011 -
After the long enforced break, the Panthers Ladies finally got back into action with this away trip to Oxford... More...

MATCH REPORTS, 20th - 21st NOV 2010 -
Panthers took arguably the youngest side in the league to third placed East Leake and pulled off a great win. More...

LAST MINUTE TRY SEALS CUP WIN -
After a six week lay off due to bad weather both teams were desperate to play rugby and on a morning ideal for rugby a cracking game ensued. More...

RUGBY STARS RETURN TO WHERE IT STARTED -
Chesterfield Panthers RUFC played host last week to a group of players, all local lads, who had started their careers at Stonegravels More...

MATCH REPORTS, 13th - 14th NOV 2010 -
The game began with both sides exchanging attacks and neither really getting the upper hand until Panthers managed to work some space... More...

MATCH REPORTS, 6th - 7th NOV 2010 -Chesterfield made the long journey to Grantham for their latest league encounter and put in a creditable performance, although the score-line doesn't reflect their dominance. More...

MATCH REPORT -
U14's v ASHBY
31st OCTOBER -
There were no Halloween horrors as an excellent team performance from the Panthers brought a well-deserved victory. More...

WORK BEGINS ON NEW RUGBY GROUND -
Work has begun on the Chesterfield Panthers RUFC's new ground at Dunston after a "First Sod Turning" ceremony was held last week More...

MATCH REPORTS, 16th - 17th OCT 2010 -
With the long journey to the West Midlands for this National Vase game, the Panthers team took to the field without time to warm up, reflecting in their first half performance. More...

MATCH REPORTS, 9th - 10th Oct 2010 -
Panthers played host to a good, well organized side from Boston and a high scoring game ensued. More...

MATCH REPORTS, 2nd - 3rd OCT 2010 -
Panthers lost to Belper in this away league game with the players and spectators wondering how? More...

MATCH REPORTS, 25th - 26th SEPT 2010 -
Panther's second team manager Mark Blair was delighted to have a squad of 26 players for this home game with Hope Valley. More...

A WHIZZ-BANG FRIDAY NIGHT PROMISED-
Friday evening (1st Oct) will see the Club putting on a firework display that will light up the sky in the neighbourhood... More...

MATCH REPORTS, 18th - 19th SEPT 2010 -
Panthers lost to their local rivals Tupton much to the obvious delight of the opposition supporters. More...

MATCH REPORTS, 11th - 12th SEPT 2010 -
Panthers travelled to the seaside for their first league game of the season and ran out comfortable winners in a high scoring game. More...

LAND BOUGHT FOR NEW FACILITIES -
Chesterfield Panthers Rugby Union Football Club is pleased to announce the acquisition of land at Dunston... More...