THE first all-Bathurst league tag grand final in three years could come to fruition when Bathurst Panthers attempt to break through Orange Hawks this Sunday at Wade Park.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bathurst’s clubs accounting for five of the six titles to date and there’s been three Panthers-St Pat’s deciders, coming in the first year of the competition, in 2012, plus 2014 and 2015.
Orange Hawks and Blayney Bears have proven big challengers to the Bathurst stranglehold over the past seasons, with the latter breaking the city’s premiership streak in 2016.
St Pat’s have been untouchable this season but Panthers and Hawks would love a chance to inflict their first loss at the worst time possible.
Hawks went down to St Pat’s in line last year’s grand final and will be keen for a chance at revenge.
Panthers captain-coach Monique Christie-Johnson celebrated her 100th career game with a 22-6 win over the Bears to set up a rematch with the Hawks.
Keep up to date with the latest sports news by clicking here.
The Orange side were too good in a 12-4 qualifying semi-final result a fortnight ago.
Nailani Lang’s try for Panthers got the Bathurst women off to a great start but they couldn’t contain a resurgent Orange team.
Panthers need a sharper second half performance if they’re going to spring the upset on Hawks.
“We’re pumped to have another crack at Hawks this weekend. It’d be great to knock them off and take on Pat’s,” Christie-Johnson said.
“First goal is obviously this weekend but we’re very hungry to get that win after coming so close to them the other week. It was such an arm wrestle game.”
Panthers only played Hawks once prior to the qualifying semi-final, due to the snowed-out round of Group 10.
When the teams met way back in round one it was Panthers who got the upper hand to claim a 12-0 victory.
“We didn’t face them until the first semi-final so it was hard to know what we’d come up against because we’d only played them in round one,” Christie-Johnson said.
“It’s always been a close game against them though.”
Match starts 11.30am.
Did you know that you can sign up for our free morning headlines email?
Alexander Grant
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
