Gutsy Panthers Win Colts Clash

THE Western Districts Panthers are celebrating a maiden FOGS Colts premiership after scoring a memorable 30-16 grand final victory over the Aspley Devils at the North Ipswich Reserve.

Thrilled coach Craig Ingebrigsten praised his team’s fighting qualities after the Panthers withstood a determined second-half fightback from the Devils.
 
“To Aspley’s credit they came back at us but our composure got us through in the end,” Ingebrigsten said.

“All year this side has been really tough and they’ve stood up under pressure.”

The first half was punctuated with handling mistakes, with both sides guilty of turning over possession early in the tackle count.

But it was the Aspley Devils who settled the nerves with the opening try of the match in the sixth minute.

Classy five-eighth Jacob Samoa got the Devils on the board when he used his powerful frame to charge over.

The Devils held a 4-0 advantage for the best part of the first half before replacement forward Matt Zgrajewski crashed over the line for the Panthers.

Matt Lennon made no mistake with the conversion to put the Panthers in front 6-4.

It soon became 12-4 when Lennon converted a brilliant try in the corner from Amos Coutts.

Spurred on by a vocal group of supporters, the Panthers came out firing after half-time to skip further in front courtesy of a determined four-pointer from Luke Churchill.

Lennon added the extras to extend the Panthers’ lead to 18-4.

But just when the Devils appeared to be down and out, diminutive fullback Joe Bond produced the play of the day to put his side back in contention.

Bond sliced through the middle of the Panthers pack and sprinted 50m to score a brilliant solo try.

Kayle Connor added the extras to narrow the gap to eight points.

That gap closed to two points when Connor converted Nathan Stokes’ try with 13 minutes remaining.

However, the Panthers settled and put the result beyond doubt in the final five minutes with two tries from flying centre Anthony Flores.

Western Districts 30 (Anthony Flores 2, Amos Coutts, Matt Zgrajewski, Luke Churchill tries; Matt Lennon 5 goals) def Aspley Devils 16 (Jacob Samoa, Joe Bond, Nathan Stokes tries; Kayle Connor 2 goals)

September 13 - 2008