By DAVID COULTER

Published at 09:09, Monday, 15 October 2012

On target: Hannah Illingworth kicked over four successful conversions to give Tynedale Panthers success over Leeds West Park.

Tynedale Panthers U18 48

Leeds West Park 36

AFTER a closely fought game, Tynedale Panthers U18 got their season off to a great start with victory over Leeds West Park.

In a real ding dong battle, the youngsters from Corbridge came out on top even though they were surprised by an early try from Leeds’ Rosie Court.

The Panthers fought back and recorded a try through Maddie Oliver running it home, before Lindsey Tait gave the hosts the lead with the first of her hat-trick of tries.

The lead was closed by West Park but Sarah Foster extended it again, although back came Leeds when Court got her second.

Tynedale’s Kaitlan Morrell was next to score, before Vicky Garbutt and Zoe Aldcroft got in on the act for West. Hannah Illingworth rounded off the scoring for Tyne and, with her four conversions, helped the Panthers to glory.

Panthers new girl Georgia Davidson proved a fast runner and will be an asset to any squad while, after some fierce mauling and rucking, Lydia Chadwick was too strong for the Yorkshire side to handle but was taken off injured half way through the second period along with Fran O’Donnell.

Next up for Panthers is a trip to Manchester.

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk