There’s only room for one Bathurst team in the upcoming Group 10 first division grand final.
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Panthers and St Pat’s will play off at Oberon Sports Ground on Sunday for the right to face Lithgow Workies in the decider, and it promises to be a cracking match.
Both teams have taken wildly different paths to wind up where they are.
Minor premiers and defending champions Panthers missed their opportunity to qualify for the grand final when they went down 34-22 to Workies at Carrington Park.
Meanwhile Pat’s thrased Oberon Tigers and claimed a gritty win over Orange CYMS on their path to Sunday’s meeting.
Panthers player-coach Mick Wicks said his side must turn up mentally stronger this weekend compared to their match at home against Workies.
“We’ll do alright provided the boys turn up with a better attitude this week. We definitely need that because it’s a derby game too,” he said.
“It’s disappointing to find ourselves in this position considering how dominant with been all season.”
Panthers will go into the game as favourites not only due to their finish on the ladder but because of their two wins over the Saints in 2017.
Even with the 40-14 and 20-12 wins to their name over their local rivals, Wicks expects an intense match from the blue and white.
We’ll do alright provided the boys turn up with a better attitude this week.
- Mick Wicks
“The first game we had the edge on numbers but that second game was probably the hardest we’ve had this year, outside of our losses,” he said.
“They played a strong game over the 70 minutes and were very enthusiastic. Like I said the week before, this game’s just going to come down to who wants it more.”
Pat’s player-coach Rhys Frame said the positive attitude from his men has gone a long way towards keeping their finals run going.
“It’s really good for the guys to come this far from fifth. I think the big thing is just the guys have been going out there having a good time,” he said.
“Everything went right for us against CYMS, and if someone made an error the boys were still about the have a laugh about it.
“I know the first game Panthers flogged us but that was during our poor run. Now it’s semi-final time and anything can happen.
“We knocked out CYMS last week and they were one of the leading sides in the competition.”
Panthers are chasing their sixth first division title since 2008. Pat’s are looking for their first premiership since their 2004-2005 double.
The first division derby kicks off from 12.45pm.
