General News
3 August, 2024
Panthers claim Noonan-Campbell Cup during home Indigenous round
The Ahrens Gilgandra Panthers played in muddy conditions on McGrane Oval on Saturday during their win over Baradine to claim the Noonan-Campbell Cup.
The Ahrens Gilgandra first grade side registered a thrilling win over the Baradine Magpies in the Indigenous round 13 clash of the 2024 Christie and Hood Castlereagh League competition. Played on a muddy McGrane Oval on Saturday, July 27, the game was always going to be a tough slogging affair with the conditions certainly not conducive to fast-flowing football. It was nonetheless an entertaining, and in the end, a thrilling encounter between two teams eager for the win.
For the first 15 minutes of the game, play centred in the middle of the field, with both teams having difficulty getting themselves in the opposition’s red zone. Finally, the scoreboard sprang into action when Gilgandra’s lock Kenny Johnson powered his way over for a try that was converted by Ty Sutherland. Ten minutes later, Panther’s centre Kaleb Sutherland finished off some good ball work to score, and the home side was up 10 to nil.
In the remainder of the first half, the Magpies dominated the game territorially. Gilgandra was called upon to defend their line, grimly, on several occasions. Which they successfully did, and they trooped off for half-time with their 10-point lead intact. The second half opened just as the first half did with play centred in the midfield. It was not until three-quarters of the game had elapsed before there was any more scoreboard action. This time it was the Baradine centre, Silver Bunner, who touched down after sustained pressure from his side, and it was 10 points to four.
Just minutes later, the Panthers opted to tap the ball, rather than take a penalty shot at goal from close range and extend their six-point lead out to an eight-point buffer. A decision that they collectively lamented as they stood behind their own goal just a few moments later after the Baradine five-eighth, Liam Fernando latched on to an intercept five metres out from his own line before racing the 95 metres to score under the posts at the other end. He then potted the conversion, and the scores were locked up at 10-all.
The Magpies went further ahead when their hooker, Logan Dewson, barged over for a converted try, and with just 10 minutes remaining, Gilgandra was looking at a six-point deficit. However, the Panthers were not going to throw in the towel, and Ty Sutherland evened the ledger when he went over and converted to make it 16-all with six minutes remaining. With supporters from both sides becoming increasingly vocal, the scene for a grandstand finish was set. Especially when the Magpies managed to get the ball back from the kickoff, only to see an attempted field goal by Fernando slide off to the right of the posts.
With just two minutes remaining, Gilgandra had been able to work play upfield and into the Magpies half. In an all-or-nothing play, Ty Sutherland put over a chip and chase. After some fingertip control, he managed to gather in the high-bouncing ball and race 40 metres to score in the corner. He added to Baradine’s woes when he then potted the conversion from the sideline to give the Panthers a memorable 22-16 victory that claimed them the Noonan-Campbell Cup!
Gilgandra was best served by the Sutherlands, Ty and Kaleb, half Craig Simpson, and in the forwards, Jay Towney was a standout with his bruising defence and strong running with the ball, ably supported by Blake Frost and Nathan Walker. The Ahrens Reggies also recorded a win, downing the Magpies in a high-scoring game 40-30, while the Ahrens Pink Panthers put in another great display before going down 18-4.
All three grades will be heading to Cobar for the final competition round, with a win to the Reggies having the potential to propel them into second place on the competition ladder.
