Penrith Panthers progressed in the National Plate competition when they beat Liverpool Collegiate Bluebirds 49-17 at Winters Park.
Starting strongly and dominating territory the Panthers opened the scoring from a well worked scrum move.
Meg Phillips-Craig picked up and broke through the initial defence and off-loaded to Polly Bowman who went over to score with Helena Scullion adding the conversion.
The Bluebirds replied five minutes later to level up with their own converted try.
The next two scores were identical with Phillips-Craig picking up from number eight at the scrum and using her pace and strength to power over to score. Scullion added the conversions for a 21-7 lead.
The Panthers were moving the ball well in the backs and centre Sian Peet ran hard to make some good ground. The ball was re-cycled well and moved through the backs to Rachel Byers who broke through a tackle to score under the posts. Scullion added the conversion for a 28-7 interval lead.
It had been one of the Panthers’ best halves of rugby yet, keeping the ball well and moving it from one side of the pitch to the other. The second half was a bit scrappier, but the Panthers continued to dominate the game.
Scullion ripped the ball in a tackle and broke through the defence, beating two players before drawing the fullback to put Bowman over to score. Scullion converted.
Bowman was the next to score again, taking a penalty quickly to run through and touchdown with Scullion converting.
The Bluebirds responded with an unconverted try before the Panthers went in for their final try. It came from some good hands in the backs, and when the ball was moved wide Bowman went on the outside and used her pace to score her fourth try. Scullion added the conversion for a perfect 100 per cent from the tee.
The Bluebirds showed some grit in keeping going and ended the game by scoring the final try.
Forward of the match was Amy Wright. She has come on loads over the season and this was her best performance yet. Back of the match was Linzi Jenkins, defensively very strong and in attack she moved the ball well at scrum-half.
