Panthers lift to push leading side
NETBALL: Coach Bec Stower praised the Darling Downs Panthers’ fighting spirit after they produced one of their strongest State League Division 2 City season performances on Tuesday night.
Panthers went down by 10 points to Bond University Jaguars after pushing the competition leaders all the way in their round-nine game at Brisbane’s State Netball Centre.
Panthers are still chasing their first season win with four rounds of the regular competition remaining.
But Stower said the team’s effort to fight back from it’s previous 64-22 mauling at the hands of Lions with a quality performance was a credit to the Panthers’ spirit.
“Jaguars are on top of the ladder and we went into the last quarter of the game even with them before eventually going down by 10 points,” Stower said.
“It was a really good game and full credit to our girls.
“We were terrible last week but we spoke about what we needed to target to help turn that around and it was so pleasing for me to see that they can bounce back.
“Heidi Case was very good for us and Khloe Fanning really stepped it up last night.
“But it was just a really good team effort.
“They backed each other and trusted each other and pushed the ladder leaders all the way.”
Panthers are at home next Tuesday night against Lynx.