Panthers Tamed in Hood Lane Sunshine.
The early morning sun was high in the sky as Chorley Panthers arrived at Hood Lane for the final home game of an eventful season. The pitch looked in fantastic condition and the scene was set for an enthralling game between two teams that in the past had been very evenly matched. The Cobras were proudly unveiling their new scoreboard for the game, hoping to christen it with a victory. Chorley began the game with possession of the ball and a tough test was sure to be on the cards, especially in the heat. Great tackling by Dean, Joe.K.L, Tom and Luke kept the Panthers out on their first attack. With ball in hand Dean and Sam took drives to take the ball away from their own line, and after Tom had taken the team over half way, Luke passed the ball to Joe.K.L, receiving the ball just inside the oppositions half, he stepped his way through the defence past five would be tacklers to put the ball down to the left of the posts for a great try. 1-0 Cobras. In defence Dean, Sam, Tom, Luke and Kian all held solid as the Panthers failed to break through. In attack Joe.P, Kian, Ben and Marshall all took the team forward before Dean’s strong drive was halted just short by good defence from the Panthers. The Cobras forced an error on the next set, after tackles by Marshall, Sam and Tom giving good field position to the home team. This was built on as Sam and Joe.K.L, drove forward and after Joe.P. was stopped just short of the line , a short pass from Luke found the charging Dean, who proved too much for the Panthers tacklers to handle, as he pushed three tacklers out of his way before spinning over the line to score. 2-0 Cobras. As the heat began to take its toll, changes were made through substitutions, but there was no change in the team spirit as defensively the Cobras would not be broken. Dean(3), Elliott, Luke, Joe.K.L, Joe.P, Tom and Kian all puffing their bodies on the line for the team , and greatly appreciated it was too as the applauds echoed from the touchline at their efforts. Kian was forced into touch by four defenders after a great run, this brought more defensive work for the Cobras, however they showed the watching crowd that they can not only score tries but prevent them too. Kian making amends for going into touch, having a hand in three of the next six tackles along with Luke, Tom,Joe.K.L, Ben and Sam, as the Panthers were once more kept scoreless. Another error on the second tackle of the next set brought more defensive work, as the home team seemed determined to give the Panthers every opportunity to score. Dean, Luke, Tom and Alex all made tackles to prevent a try being scored before Kian, twice in a matter of seconds made try saving tackles to keep the home teams line intact. With the ball in hand Cobras went forward through Sam and Luke before Louis was tackled into touch. Once more the Cobras had to tackle, Ben and Alex combining to tackle the No.1 leaving him writhing in pain on the grass. After further tackles the ball was handed over, with the referee calling last set of the half Crosfields scored, Sam powering his way over the line. 3-0 Cobras. This action being missed (again) by the cameraman, due to technical difficulties.
HALFTIME
Cobras 3-0 Panthers
With a well deserved rest the team enjoyed their half time drinks and with a few words spoken the team was ready to go again. The second half began with both teams making an error in their first set. But when Crosfields kept hold of the ball they scored, Louis, Kian with a great run and Elliott with a sidestepping surge forward, set up position Luke who was held up just short, from the resulting play the ball Sam charged forward handing off two tacklers to dive over in the corner. 4-0 Cobras. Cobras continued to tackle like demons, none more typified than Elliott who made two try stopping tackles beneath his own posts. From the handover Cobras hand a rush of blood in the heat, first Alex then Kian throwing wayward passes, seemingly trying to help Chorley to score, only for Joe.K.L, to rescue the ball on his own line. The game continued end to end, both defences on top, as the heat of the day increased and both teams tired. Neither team managing to trouble the scoreboard operator. The game finished with the sun higher in the sky and the temperature rising, as all the players took thoroughly deserved
applauds from both sets of supporters.
Well done to all the Cobras players, a magnificent all round performance from everyone, to prevent the opposition from scoring a try took a huge effort and must have surely been one of the best performances of the season. You provided another great advert for junior rugby league.
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