Sport
2 May, 2025
The Gilgandra Pink Panthers have plenty of improvement in them across this season
Pink Panthers have first competition match for 2025
The Gilgandra Pink Panthers have plenty of improvement in them across this season as an inexperienced new group opened the 2025 Castlereagh League competition with a substantial round one away loss.
With nine of the squad playing their first senior match of league tag on Saturday, April 26 at Baradine Oval, a slow start to the season was expected for the Pink Panthers.
Baradine ran out 54-nil winners in the round one contest.
Gilgandra president and co-coach Shane Byrne was unable to attend the competition season opening fixture, with fellow co-coach Luke Ritchie taking the reins solo.
Both are still upbeat as the next fortnight looms as an opportunity for improvement with a pair of home games at McGrane Oval.
Gilgandra will play Coonamble at Gilgandra on Friday night, May 2.
The date for the round three home clash against Gulgong is yet to be confirmed, but club officials are hoping it will again be a Friday night game to assist the Castlereagh League Referees Association and opposition clubs.
Byrne said he was hopeful of significant progress for Pink Panthers as the season continues.
“It was a hard one first-up, but we have a young side and good numbers, plenty of players,” Byrne said.
“There will be a lot of improvement as the season progresses.”
While the Pink Panthers were well-beaten against a quality home side at Baradine, there were some bright spots among the backs.
Kiara Brown, who played in the halves, earned the three points with centre Allira Riley grabbing the two points and fullback Skye Doherty the one point as Gilgandra’s three best players.
In the other round one league tag matches, Coolah, Coonabarabran, Dunedoo, and Cobar were winners.
