Mallabula Panthers ladies tag team celebrated hard after completing their fairy tale of a season with a Newcastle and Hunter Rugby League premiership.
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After winning two games in their inaugural season last year, the Panthers came back stronger for 2018 and not only clinched the minor premiership but the major as well.
And to make the premiership win even sweeter, the side kept opponent Swansea scoreless in the B-grade ladies league tag grand-final.
“Words can’t describe it,” Panthers co-captain Emma Thompson said about winning the premiership. “When that hooter went off I was shaking. I couldn’t believe it. It was the best moment.”
Thompson, co-captain Caitlin De Pater, Elizabeth Daniels, Karla David, Rachel Parkinson, Tahlia Harding and Teana Lovegrove all lined up for Saturday’s grand-final knowing full well just how far the Panthers tag squad had come this season.
The women all played for the Panthers last year, which ended the season second last on the ladder behind Swansea.
In 2018, after the NHRL split the ladies tag teams into two divisions, the bottom teams rose to the top of B-grade and faced each other in the grand-final.
The Panthers showed plenty of grit in defence to down Swansea 8-0 at No. 1 Sportsground in Newcastle.
With temperatures reminiscent of summer, the ladies hit the field at 9.30am – the first game of the day – already feeling the heat.
As Swansea had most of the possession of the ball, the Panthers were forced to play a defensive game.
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“We didn’t have a lot of ball time but when we did, we made a lot of meters,” Thompson said.
“It was a good game. We played our hearts out. Everyone stepped up and played their best game. I am so proud of the team.”
The Panthers held a slim 4-0 lead at halftime. However, the side continued to grind in the second half to extend their lead and keep Swansea off the try line.
Thompson said it was a surprising outcome. The last time the team teams met, Swansea walked away with the win.
“I thought they would have put one try on us,” Thompson said. “The fact they they didn’t is a testament to how strong we were defensively. We stayed together as a line and gave it our all.”
In addition to the seven original Panthers that played on Saturday, the squad was rounded out with returner Shannon Hawkins and new faces Breeanna Keysell, Eden Houston, Emma Rimmer, Kirra Stewart, Madeleine Malcolm, Reagan Mcilwain and Sinead Trevor this season.
Mcilwain was named player of the match in Saturday’s grand-final.
Thompson paid tribute to their coach, Derek Coxon, for his help this season.
Coxon stepped up from trainer to coach in 2018.
“We couldn’t have done it without him,” Thompson said.
Mallabula finished its season on top of the ladder with 10 wins and two losses. The squad defeated Stroud 12-0 in the semi-final to book their grand-final spot.
The Panthers were the only team to fly the Port Stephens flag in the NHRL grand-finals this season.
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
