Knottingley7
After their long lay off the Panthers got their season back on track with a good home win over lively Knottingley opponents.
The game commenced at break neck speed as both sides tried in vain to find a way through two solid defence
s, and it was no surprise that the first points should come from a penalty kick.
First Knottingley were unsuccessful from mid range, then minutes later home fly half Richard Francis, playing because spring tides had caused the Meros game at Scarborough to be washed out, took advantage of an easy opportunity to put the Panthers three points up.
The home side began to take control with the mercurial talents of Francis combining with strong running from Nigel Hinton, Dan Elvidge and Jake Weatherill to batter the Knottingley defensive line.
Inevitably the Panthers were awarded a penalty on the Knottingley 22 after sustained pressure and scrum half Billy Higgins saw an opportunity to run at the opposition and ghosted through to score unchallenged. With half time looming the Panthers were rocked by the loss of Charlie Cassam who saw red at a lineout.
A reshuffle of positions at half time did not deter as the home side continued to attack and defend with equal vigour, the metronomic timing and decision making of Francis relieving the threat from a still lively and determined Knottingley side.
Former Selby wing Weatherill had made his presence felt in the first half with a series of barnstorming breaks then in the second period he continued to impress at the start of his third stint at Pocklington in his now preferred No 8 role. And the evergreen pair of Weatherill and Francis then combined in style to turn a half break into the try of the game from deep in their own half, Francis getting the touchdown.
The continued pressure from the Panthers gave Francis the opportunity to round off his performance with his second try, virtually straight from the kick off, before Knottingley's late rally saw them score what turned out to be a consolation try near the death.
Special mention should go to veterans Hinton, Francis and Weatherill whose inspired performances were the catalyst for an excellent display from Higgins, Elvidge and above all Tom Peters who covered every blade of grass.
