Panthers upset Bats with nail-biting 42-41 win at home

By Adam Miller

Aug 22, 2024

Benalla All Blacks, Gertie McCallum in action against the Goorambat Bats on Sunday. Photo by Contributed

In their battle to claim local bragging rights in there final game of the search, Benalla and Goorambat played out a thrilling game of netball on Saturday afternoon.

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The Bats came in with history on their side having won the first clash 45–33 in Round 8, but on home turf at Friendlies Reserve the Panthers were right to fancy their chances at causing an upset.

Allison Elise playing her 250th match for the Goorambat Bats in action against the Benalla All Blacks in B Grade on Saturday. Photo by Christine Knight

The opening quarter of the derby set the tone for the match as the teams exchanged goals in slippery conditions, with the home side emerging with a one goal lead.

The Bats would then square the ledger in the second quarter to take the game to a tie into half-time.

The Bats managed to eke out a slender lead of three goals heading into the last term, but the intensity of the match meant they would need to be at their best, with the Panthers working overtime across the court.

At the final whistle, the underdogs would have their day as the Panthers came away with a nail-biting 42-41 victory.

The Panthers, Alara Jones, and Michele Button of the Bats were top scorers for their teams with 24 and 27 goals respectively.

In other games on the day, Aneiki Pierce and Lisa Johnson led the Bats to a 34–23 win in B-grade.

Before the game, both teams celebrated the Bat's Elise Nolan, who was playing her 250th game for the club.

There were comfortable victories in the other two games on the day, with the Bats winning 69–13 in C-grade and Benalla taking a 33–3 win in C-grade reserve.