Panthers men and women and Zig Zag mens’ teams will be contesting finals in Bathurst this weekend, Saturday August 12, after reaching the top four positions on the league table. 

Panthers v Bathurst City 

Panthers women have a strong chance of coming out on top in the major semi-final match up with Bathurst City. 

Their last game against the league’s top team saw Panthers  drawing 3-3. 

Lithgow’s two men’s team will, however, be entering the finals on their back foot. 

Zig Zag v Bathurst Souths

Zig Zag will take on Bathurst Souths in a minor semi-final. The match up is a repeat of last Saturday’s game, where Zig Zag went down to the Souths 5-3.

 “I think they can make a come back. We’ve had some players out injured and we’ll have them back before Saturday,” team manager Brian Kelly said.

“With half a bit of luck, I think we can beat them.”

Panthers v St Pat’s

Panthers coach David Marshall is similarly optimistic his team can get their first win against Bathurst St Pat’s in the major semi-final at 3pm. 

“Hopefully we can win, we’re quietly confident,” he said.

“The two teams have closely contested over many years. It will tough playing them up their home ground.”

He said the teams play a similar a game. 

“We’ll be trying to play the ball nice and short and hopefully won’t get caught get caught playing the long game.”

All three teams will suffer from the absence of some of their key players playing at the Australian Country Championships for NSW. 

Zig Zag’s Luke Sheppeard and Panthers’ Nick Milne, Jess Luchetti, Amelia Leard and Clare Bosman will all be contesting the championship in Townsville. 

“I think St Pat’s is missing players as well so it should even out,” Panthers’ coach David Marshall said.

“Something great we have achieved this year is that a lot of new younger guys have been introduced. We have a lot of depth in our squad at the moment.”