Fathers have played alongside sons in football, cricket and both codes of rugby for a long time.
But not so common are mothers and daughters both lining up alongside each other, especially in rugby union.
Penrith Panthers can now claim to have one of, if the not the first, family pairings in the county after their latest fixture against North Ribblesdale.
Meg Phillips-Craig, 18, is a centre in her second season with the Panthers and packing down in the second row was her mother Karen.
Last season should have been Karen’s first but she missed out through injury so the Cup tie was a bit special for the Penrith-based duo when she made her debut alongside her daughter.
Meg was actually a late call-up after originally not being able to play so she took her place on the bench alongside her mother. Both came on separately but were actually together on the field for a memorable occasion.
It wasn’t a winning debut, though, in the first round of the Junior Cup as North Ribblesdale finished the winners 33-12.
They had got off to a quick start scoring after just five minutes after winning a line-out on the 22 and the ball was out before breaking through the Panthers defence to score a converted try.
The next 20 minutes were equal as both sides struggled to get a real hold on the game and mistakes were commonplace.
Eventually Caitlin Wood capitalised on one of these mistakes when North Ribblesdale dropped a pass and she kicked down field before gathering over the try line to score.
North Ribblesdale finished the half strongly as their direct running caused the Panthers some trouble and they forced their way over to score two more tries and finish the half ahead 19-5.
The second half was similar to the first as both sides struggled to keep the ball, either losing it in the breakdown or with passes going wayward.
Polly Bowman opened the scoring in the second half when her quick thinking at a penalty took the defence by surprise and she broke through to score. Wood added the conversion.
North Ribblesdale scored next, however, as their dominance in the scrum turned one over and they caught the Panthers backs by surprise, moving the ball wide to score.
Near the end North Ribblesdale forced their way over to score again and add the conversion.
It was a tough afternoon for the Panthers, as the game was so scrappy. Neither side was able to put phase after phase together so the Panthers couldn’t find any rhythm to their game. They did fight for everything and on another day the result could have gone the other way.
Forward of the match was Bernie Willets who made some great tackles in defence and carried the ball hard time and time again to make good yards.
Back of the match was vice captain Julia Addison, who was defensively outstanding and in attack she gave the Panthers that little bit of composure on the ball.
The Panthers play their first ever League game this Sunday at home to Hartlepool Rovers. Kick-off is 2pm.
