By DAVID COULTER

Published at 09:07, Monday, 11 June 2012

TWO members of Tynedale Rugby Club’s Panthers team returned from the national School Games competition with bronze medals.

Caity Mattinson and Lindsey Tait, along with Sarah Foster and Ashleigh Brown from Morpeth RFC, were part of the North of England Rugby sevens team who finished third place.

The team fought a hard battle, playing teams from Wales, London, the South- East and the South-West.

As well as showcasing rugby which will feature in the 2016 Olympic Games, the team met sporting greats such as Darren Campbell and Baroness Tani Grey-Thompson at the opening ceremony.

The following weekend Caity and Lindsey joined their teammates from the Panthers who travelled to Lichfield for the Rugby Sevens National Tournament.

The girls made it through to the bowl after hard fought games against clubs from London Irish and Berkshire, winning their final game against a team from Tysledale.

The Panthers U18 side was supplemented by Sarah Foster from Morpeth and supported by Ashleigh Brown and Lydia Chadwick who were not playing through injury.

This is a fitting closure to the season for the Panthers who will be looking to capitalise on their success next season by re-entering the sevens tournament.

The Panthers are looking for new players to grow both the U15 and U18 teams.

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