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THE much anticipated clash between the top two teams in the Premier League hockey competition took place at Bathurst when last year’s grand finalists Lithgow Panthers took on the reigning premiers Bathurst St Patricks.
The Panthers fielded one of their best sides for some weeks and showed they are again premiership contenders when they defeated St Patricks 4-2.
It was the first time St Pats had been beaten since 2014 when the Bathurst club went on to win consecutive grand finals.
The two teams have had some titanic struggles, but it was to be the Panthers’ day when they pulled apart the usually clinical pattern St Patricks have been famous for.
In their first scoring chance, Panthers’ Ron Charlton’s shot found its mark to put his side 1-nil up.
The Panthers’ set play again proved successful with Charlton making it goal number two.
St Pats were clearly rattled while the Panthers became stronger the longer the game went and Nic Milne continued the Panther roll with the third goal of the match 12 minutes into the second half.
It was all Panthers, and some great lead up work by the ever improving Joss Luka saw another youngster Jordan Savage make it 4-nil.
Pats finally got their act together when Tobbie Muldoon drag flicked a penalty corner with the last goal of the game going to Tyler Willott to make the final score 4-2.
“It was a confidence building win for us, especially on their home turf,” Panthers’ captain coach Dave Marshall said.
“It was great to see the younger players playing so well and they were not overawed by their St Pats’ counterparts.
“Our experienced players also stood up and played some excellent hockey — especially in the first half.
“St Pats only got into the game when it was all over, and the good thing is that we can play better.”