Panthers purr for pennant

DEVON Meadows under 18s achieved the final step in their quest to play off in the 2009 grand final with a comprehensive 36-point victory over Berwick in Sunday’s preliminary final.
The Panthers gave an early indication that they meant business in the steady drizzle, by shooting to a five-goal lead at half-time, but the expected comeback by the highly fancied Berwick did not eventuate.
While the goals were shared around, it was the skills of Brandon Wapshott, Steve McInnes, Dale Alanis and Jake Cohen that made the difference and the Wickers had no answers despite top games from Lochlan Burke, Tom Brennan and Callum Barnett.
Young Panthers’ coach Brent Clinnick will approach this weekend’s challenge against the red-hot Narre Warren under 18s as a winnable game, but must lift his charges to another level again to take the ultimate prize.
As for Wickers mentor Brendan McLardy, he was left to contemplate what might have been after the match.