Darling Downs Panthers end winless run with classy home victory

It’s been close to three years, but the Darling Downs Panthers are back in the winner’s circle in netball’s Ruby Series.

Panthers celebrate the win. Picture: Nev Madsen

NETBALL: The monkey is off the back.

The Darling Downs Panthers are winners once again, with a spirited showing in front of their home crowd lifting them to a 59-54 defeat of the Wildcats in the opening round of the Ruby Series at Downlands College.

It ended a drought stretching back to 2018 without a victory, and according to coach Bec Stower is a just reward for the determination of the playing group.

“It was a good win and was really important for the girls to be able to finish that off,” Stower said.

“They really deserved it. They played well and stuck to the game plan.

“There was a little lapse through the middle there which was a bit scary, but to their credit they refocused and didn’t let that dictate the rest of the game.

“I’m very proud of them.”

A strong first quarter saw the Panthers lead by as much as six, before taking a 17-13 lead into the first break.

The Wildcats went on a run of four unanswered goals and an extended 13-5 run to lead by one at halftime.

The Panther held a slender 45-44 advantage with one quarter to play.

A mistake off the restart allowed the Wildcats to post back-to-back goals, but the Panthers didn’t drop their heads, with a 10-1 run helping to seal the victory.

Kaylin van Greunen and Caitlin Skaines. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Stower praised the way her side was able to overcome adversity throughout the contest.

“It’s a really big thing that we’ve worked on, is that a mistake is a mistake and everyone makes them,” she said.

“It’s about not letting them get to you and just moving on. That’s something that has been our downfall previously.

“A lot of the credit has to go to our fitness levels. In the fourth quarter we ran the game out really well. We didn’t let fatigue creep in, and that comes back to training preparation.”

Kaylin van Greunen. Picture: Nev Madsen

Stower found it tough to name a standout from the Panthers, paying credit to an all-round team effort.

“I really feel like it was a strong team effort,” she said.

“Jane Herrick really led with a calm head and she was very solid for us.

“Both of our shooters were good. Kaylin (van Greunen) was outstanding and she shot around 86 per cent at a high volume.

“Chloe (Fanning) stepped up her volume as well, and that was off some great passes from our feeders.

“We were solid on the defensive end all game, and Kalei Brighton really came out strong in the fourth quarter.”

Kalei Brighton. Picture: Nev Madsen