PENDLE Panthers are enjoying their first taste of open age competitive rugby.

After running junior sides for the past four years, they have now stepped into the big league and are competing in their first season in the Women's Rugby League Association - and the signs are very promising.

After an opening game at Dewsbury outfit Thornhill, they started their home programme with an impressive 28-16 victory over York Acorn.

"It was very encouraging and things are definitely looking okay," said Panthers organiser Steve Swann. "Having run junior sides for four or five years, some of our older girls were outside the age group this season so we decided on an open age side, which we having been working towards over the last year.

"We have a core of nine or ten players but we are attracting more women to the sport and we are really just looking to keep on developing the side."

And the Panthers have already had the Great Britain set up pounce on one of their players with 17-year-old hooker Kelly Ferguson being called up into the national Under-21 training squad.

"Kelly has done well and it will be good for her to be in the train on squad with other good players," said Swann.

"They are set to play France in spring, and possibly New Zealand as well, and she will be looking to do well and hopefully then progress to the full Great Britain squad."

Anyone interested in playing open age or age group women's rugby league can get further information by contacting Steve Swann on 07764-893490 or 01254-875243.