The Panther Rugby Academy toured England and Wales this past month, taking four teams of different age levels on a rugby and cultural trip.
The touring group included 53 players, 12 coaches and staff, and 27 supporters for a total of 92. The Panthers fielded a Girls U18 7s team, a Boys Youth (mostly U15) team for 10-a-side, a Boys U18 team playing both 10s and 15s rugby, and a U23 men's team playing 7s.
"Our goal was to expose the players to experience what a rugby tour is and how rugby is part of the culture in England and Wales," said Program Director Mark Williams. "We also felt it was important to make sure we did more than see rugby fields and so we went to major tourist, cultural, and historical sites. For some Stonehenge is just a bunch or rocks, but once you see it you can appreciate it so much more. It's hard to describe the Roman Baths until you see it. With the Panther Rugby Academy we believe the baseline fundamentals is the most important thing to focus on. When we practiced with the Ospreys and London Irish that’s what we focused on – not get us ready for the game tomorrow."
The group toured the Tower of London, the Natural History Museum, the London Eye, Stonehenge on the Summer Solstice, the baths at Bath, Twickenham, Cardiff Castle, and a pit mine and whitewater adventure.
On the rugby side, they attended the Gallagher Premiership final and had training sessions with London Irish and with the Ospreys.
Competition Day One
Hosted at Barry RFC at their scenic venue, the day included games for the younger teams and a touch rugby match for the U23s. The Boys Youth team won 19-5; the Boys U18s split their 10-a-side games 17-12 and 29-17, and the Girls U18s won 15-12. Emmye Harris scored the first try of the entire tour.
Competition Day Two
Morriston RFC were gracious hosts at their large clubhouse with a party deck. All four Panther teams won. The U23s won their game 28-12.
Competition Day Three
At Llantwit Fardre RFC hundreds of supporters came out to watch the games. They roasted a pig, sang Country Road and enjoyed themselves immensely.
The Girls U18s won their 10-a-side game 60-0. Hannah Mitchell scored three tries. They lost their second game.
The Boys Youth 10s won 21-7 and 62-14.
The Boys U18s lost their 15-a-side game 29-7.
The U23 Men played 7s and ended up tied 25-25. The game went to overtime, and the Panthers ended up losing 40-35.
"The U18 Boys played really well and in the last game against Llantwit Fardre," said Williams. "They lost but it was closer than the score shows. They knew how to grind us once they got inside the red zone. They would come away with points when they got close and forced us to keep working hard only to lose possession before getting points."
