Junior League and Netball - May 23, 2023

League

It was a frosty start to the day on Saturday, May 20 as the Gilgandra Junior Panthers headed to Gulgong for the Indigenous round. The Terriers were great hosts, with the day including a Smoking Ceremony and a Welcome to Country. Under 14 The U14s were hoping to go two-up over the Terriers after their win last week but Gulgong had other ideas. The game was played with strong intensity and some big hits.

Despite the Panthers throwing everything at it, in the end Gulgong took home the points, winning 30-8. Under 12 U12 White also had a challenge on their hands with the Terriers stepping it up a notch from the previous week and no reserves to call in.

The Panthers were possibly caught a bit off guard with their defence, not at its usual standard early in the piece, but they lifted and worked hard together. The game could have gone either way, but the Panthers showed their class and secured the win 30-18. It didn’t take long for the U12 Brown team to warm up and get moving. Caine Bugmy crossed the line early, putting the boys on the scoreboard.

This was then followed by Ezekiel Williams scoring four, Jaxson Young two, and young Dallas Burrell, who played up from under 10s, sneaking through the gaps and going over for three tries, final score 44-10. All of the boys played great - getting in and making some big runs with player of the match going to Charlie Whiteman, who made some huge runs and gained valuable metres.

Under 10 The U10 Panther sides had a pretty tough day at the office with both teams very short on players, resulting in U10 White having to forfeit.

The team that did play are to be congratulated; they played their hearts out and never stopped trying. Let’s hope they have some more support in numbers in the coming weeks. Under eight The under eights had a cold start to the day facing a big and fast Gulgong side on their home ground. In the first game, they had to tackle a lot and tackle they did. Liam Cosier was like a tackling machine and made 20 tackles in the game.

Levi Burrell went from an organiser to a big hitter; Gulgong didn’t want to run at him. Lilah Young, Tom Mudford and Xavier Connolly ran all day, but the best player of the game was Azariah Smith-Nixon, who ran hard all game.

The second game was the Ricky Bennett show. Even Gulgong were saying “not Ricky”. Kordel Weldon was born a footballer and can be anything. Lachie Thomas is just hitting his straps, Jaxen Altus was excellent, and James Riley and Acacia Towney tried hard all day and are great leaders.

Under six The mighty under sixes put in big efforts, opening proceedings on the main oval with the under eights which is a highlight in anyone’s day! Great effort by the littlest Panthers, they are improving every week.

Netball

In the netball, it was the girls’ turn to shine with the team’s starting to get into their groove and getting a few wins on the board based on the results that have come through. U10s lost their game against the Rhinos but the seniors had an impressive win 37-25 and the U12s won 25-6 v Narromine - well done Panthers!

Congratulations to Panthers of the Week: League teams:

Under eight - Jaxen Altus and Azariah Smith Nixon.

U10 Brown - Toby Starr.

U12 Brown - Charlie Whiteman.

U12 White - Jack Eason and Khyran O’Neil.

U14 - Sailor Ryan.

Netball

U10s - Harmony Jackson.

U11s - Milla Morris.

U12s - Sophie Carter.

Seniors - Makynli Hazelton.