MALLABULA Panthers Rugby League Club is chasing an historic premiership double in the Newcastle Hunter men’s and Newcastle-Maitland women’s tackle competitions.
The rampant Panthers lock horns with second ranked Clarence Town Cobras in the Men’s D Grade Northern Grand Final this weekend, and are shaping as firm favourites for the title.
Matthew Sheals’ in-form charges thumped minor premiers Stroud Raiders in their qualifying final clash on 30 August with the Cobras inflicting a double blow with a 34-18 triumph last Saturday at Lakeside Sporting Complex.
Sharp-running centre Harry Boyton (2), winger Dane Laman, five-eighth Broc Hunt, second rower Hunta Saunders and hooker Jacob Ritchie scored tries for Clarence Town with halfback Blake Birch booting five conversions.
Greg Hodson’s talented Pantherettes are primed to lift the Newcastle-Maitland Women’s Community Plate trophy when they line-up against the Nelson Bay Bandits in the “battle of Port Stephens”.
The Bandits sent minor premiers Cardiff Cobras tumbling out of the 2025 title race with an 18-8 victory in preliminary final action last Saturday at Lakeside Sporting Complex.
Nelson Bay’s strong running prop Victoria Hawthorn bagged two tries, and classy halfback Tash Harris scored a four pointer and two conversions, to set up a decisive win.
Casey Blacklock scored two tries for the disappointing Cobras, who lost only one match all season before tasting defeat against Mallabula and the Bandits in this year’s finals series.
The Pantherettes boast a powerful forward pack led by Taylor Rich, Sierra Nowlan, Jessica Beam, Ella Livett, Ngaomi Stone and Lara Hurst plus a dynamic halves pairing of Angel Hodson and number seven and team captain Chloe Zdebski.
Fullback Teegan Barr and centre Sarah Bottrill are two other backs to watch.
Nelson Bay coach Blaine O’Flaherty has a wealth of talent in clever halves Imogen O’Flaherty and the dynamic Harris, centre Leila Kelly, hard-running wingers Jennifer Finefeuiaki and Skye Barrett, hooker Claudia Ivankovic, props Hawthorn and skipper Maddi Herman, and powerhouse back rowers Courtney Whitehead and Krystal Finefeuiaki.
It has been a tremendous achievement by the fledgling Bandits to reach a Grand Final from fourth spot on the ladder and everything points to a classic trophy decider between two evenly-matched teams.
Reigning premiers Waratah-Mayfield line-up against Dudley Magpies in the NHRL Men’s A Grade Grand Final after Dudley eliminated Raymond Terrace 16-12.
Newcastle University Seahorses tackle Shortland Devils in the B Grade decider while Karuah Roos square off with Stockton Sharks in a tantalising C Grade Grand Final.
By Chris KARAS
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