Sport
26 June, 2026
Weather for Ducks at McGrane.
Youth league wins in the wet, first grade and league tag go down and the reggies also lose.
By Laura and Damien Jordan, and Bryson Luff
It was a wet and wild night on Friday, June 19, when the Gilgandra Panthers played host to the Narromine Jets at the McGrane Oval, Gilgandra in round eight of the Christie and Hood Castlereagh League Competition.
The Panthers youth league side were the first to hit it out in what were rainy and slippery conditions for the entire match.
Cale McEwen was first to cross the line in only the fourth minute of the game, showing massive improvement in his confidence and running over the past few weeks.
Another two unanswered tries, both to all-rounder Sailor Ryan, and all conversions successful by Peter Peters placed the Panthers in a health position 25 minutes into the game.
Sailor has played several positions for this year’s youth league team, talent and capabilities well beyond his years, and it was in the fullback position where his versatility was on show.
Holding onto the slippery ball was not the only challenge for the young Panther throughout the match, holding the lead was as well. The Jets scored just prior to half time and crossed the line twice to even the score at 16-a-piece, 10-minutes into the second half.
Shortly after Sailor made sure that Narromine wouldn’t forget him, regathering a kick and stepping defenders to score a hattrick for the evening.
Securing their first and well-deserved win for their season, Brodie Heffer crashed over for the final try and Peter Peters converted to take the win 26-16.
Ladies league tag side tries hard against Narromine
The Ladies League Tag followed the Youth League with weather conditions slightly easing. Not enough thought to prevent the slippery side steps of Narromine’s Shianne Chatfield, who each time she had hands on ball pressured the Panther defence line.
The remainder of the half was close, with Narromine attacking their line from 20 out repeatedly until finally a chance out wide opened up and they were able to find the tryline in the corner for the first points taking a 4-nil lead.
The Pink Panthers’ defence was great considering the treacherous conditions, until with 15 minutes to go the travelling side found a crack in it on the outside, scoring in the far corner. With a successful conversion from the sideline, Chatfield took the score out to 10-nil.
The Gil girls defended stoutly for the majority of the game, with rare opportunities to attack, only crossing the half way line following a break to Zillah Rogers. The game was wrapped up by Chatfield stepping three defenders and scoring under the posts to seal the win for Narromine, 14-nil
First grade Panthers good in second half but go down
The first grade was set up to be a great matchup between the Panthers and the Jets.
Narromine took to the scoreboard first but there was quick reply by the Panthers co-captain pair in a big run and try to Tyler Bamblett and successful conversion from DJ Smith to even the scores in the 15th minute.
Although Gil looked to score on several occasions, Narromine were able to execute and successfully cross for another three tries, and took to the break ahead 22-6.
During the first 15 minutes of the second half Gil pressured the Narromine defence line with four scoring opportunities either held up, fumbled or called back.
It was tough to watch such a brave start to the second half, to not be rewarded for their efforts. With an opportunity to attack their own line, Narromine’s Darby Gordon crashed through from 10 metres out to score and take the lead out by 20 points.
Back at the Panthers end winger Wyne Smith was able to ground a grubber in goal. Converted successfully the score was 26-12.
Again, there were opportunities for the Panthers to score, but just couldn’t quite finish off their sets. The final score finished 32-18 to Narromine.
The game was definitely closer than the scoreboard suggested, both teams crossing the line again in the final minutes of the match, Gilgandra’s DJ Smith scoring his second.
The Panthers showed determination and grit despite many opportunities to add to the scoreboard. With Narromine sitting in third place on the ladder and Gilgandra at eighth.
If this match tells us anything the back half of the Christie and Hood First Grade competition will be an epic battle for a place in the semi-finals in August.
Reggies’ season ends with spirited loss at Gulgong
The Panthers reggies (reserve grade) side played their final match of the 2026 Reserve Grade competition on Saturday, June 20 at Gulgong. Unfortunately going down 30-4 and finishing fifth on the ladder.
After a physical first 10 minutes the Panthers reserve grade defence was cracked when Gulgong player Koby Thurston stepped his way through the defence.
After some big shots off the kick off, led by Damien Jordan, Gil had a chance to hit back but lack off ball control let them down.
Back-to-back penalties helped the Gulgong team down the other end and where able to capitalise,
Panthers players Grant Milgate and Alex Sutherland tried hard to get the team going forward but Gulgong’s defence was too good.
Finally a blind side play with Sutherland combining with centre Lachie Nyboar panthers were able to put points on the board and it would be the last chance.
Few reserves short meant the Panthers attack and defence got tired quickly in the second half and the terriers capitalised and ran away with the game 30-4. Panthers kept trying hard all day but fatigue got the better.
Jaylem Peters, who backed up from Friday night, tested the Gulgong defence every time he had the ball.
