GATESHEAD STORM COME OUT ON TOP AT CASTLEFORD PANTHERS

CASTLEFORD PANTHERS 16 GATESHEAD STORM 32
NCL DIVISION 3 @ RAGLAN GROUND
30 JULY 2016 --- 2.30PM

The visitors from the north east Gateshead Storm came out on top in this basement battle with Stephen Welton scoring 2 tries and 4 conversions allowing a gap to open up between the two clubs.  This was a determined game from both sides with the first half starting well for Panthers before 2 tries in 3 minutes gave Storm the edge at the break.  In the second 40 minutes the score line once again favoured the visitors but the home side had put up a determined effort with a fair amount of possession which on another day may have seen them score more points than they did today.
Castleford Panthers had been a club that the blog had wanted to cover for a little while and today seemed like a good option with the chance of a close game,  Panthers in bottom spot were too take on second bottom Gateshead Storm who were just 2 points ahead of the Cas based side.  Both sides could only muster 5 winds before today between them and this would be a super chance of Panthers catching their nearest rivals.

WELCOME TO CAS, AGAIN

Having stopped myself from re visiting Underbank again this weekend, somewhere I could easily have  gone to with the enjoyment I have gained from this friendly club, I connected at Sheffield with the Castleford bound train.  A smooth arrival at just after noon of course allowed a visit to one of the blogs favourite Chippys, Hoppys Off The Hook, quick diversion under the railway line and 100 yards on is the emporium.  As with a few weeks ago fish, chips and pea fritter were ordered and prepared by Angela with Hoppy again not in residence.  Time to be reparative they were delicious and come recommended and yes for those who are now asking 'he's not going to show a picture of them again is he'?  The answers yes..........

SMALL LUNCH TIME SNACK

A steady amble around the town centre we were soon off on a steady 20 minute walk to the ground having located Raglan Close we opted to walk to the end of the road, Three Lane Ends, but were soon on the return route to a smart club house were we sampled a beverage.  The club house also had a snack bar which probably had one of the better menus indeed some clubs don't do hot food that's why we eat away from the ground but at Panthers you can certainly get your fill.

SMART CLUB HOUSE AT CASTLEFORD PANTHERS

Having secured a photocopied team sheet from the home clubs secretary we set off on a walk around the ground, the car park and playing area is separated by Herres fencing and the whole standing area is grass with smart pole barriers separating spectators from the playing area.  The clubhouse end also has a nice little scoreboard which is installed just before kick off and taken down at the end of the game.  The far end is an area that is not accessible but todays crowd of around 50 were not in need of any more standing areas.  Before the kick off there were a few number changes on the team sheet and thankfully the changes were gained from referee Andrew Barnaby after the game.
Before the start of the game we made a short cut visit to have a look over the River Calder and the nearby boat yard to let Mick purchase is favourite canal barge.
A long journey for Gateshead storm and indeed one of the players mum and dad who had travelled from ulverston to watch him today.

[As ever any changes of names I will make later today was a little complicated with team numbers changed just before kick off, the visitors number being quite difficult to read and two of their players suffering ripped shirts that were replaced by non original number, there my excuses anyway]
They would have been happy with the visitors starting strongly in the first ten minutes but against the run of play the game changed with Panthers taking a 10-0 lead after 14 minutes Nathan Tomlinson went over before Jordan Holder followed up by a Jordan Harper conversion on 19 minutes secured this lead.

Two tries in three minutes both of which were converted saw Storm overtake the home side to lead 12-10.  On 26 minutes Andy Morris ran half the pitch and his pace took him over the whitewash for Stephen Welton to convert.  Then on 28 minutes Welton was supplier of the four points and the additional 2.  Gateshead were now in the ascendancy and extended their lead with Welton again going over the line to make it 16-10 to Storm at the break.

HALF TIME SCORES ON THE BOARD

Within 2 miutes of the re start a lovely flowing move saw Luke Banham go over, before the visitors went 26-10 to the good with a Matty Banning breakaway from his own half  before Welton added his third conversion.
In the last 20 minutes the game got a little tetchy but Panthers were not lying down and it is to their full credit the determination they showed in taking the game to the visitors.  The deservedly lessened the gap on 77 minutes when Tomlinson got his second try crashing over in the far corner with Harper adding the extra points.

SCOTT WOODS SETS OFF FOR GATESHEAD STORM

In time added on Storm again extended their lead with a Matty Banning try that Welton converted.
A steady little game with a score line that was a little harsh on Panthers but the visitors will be more than happy that their long journey was rewarded with two points and a fourth win of the season.
The return journey was again a smooth one trains on time and with a comfortable change at Sheffield base station was arrived at around 1830hrs. 

REFEREE ANDREW BARNABY GIVES A CLEAR SIGNAL