West Brisbane Panthers overcome spirited Tigers

The Round 3 match also saw the long-awaited return of Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons centre Julia Robinson to the team, who in her first game back this season, played as five-eighth for the first time.

The Panthers skipper took it all in her stride and was named the Hastings Deering player of the match for her overall performance.

In a close match, it was the Panthers who started the scoring, with young gun centre Sera Koroi crossing for the first of her two tries in just the ninth minute; before the Tigers hit back when five-eighth Tahlia Rolph went over for a four-pointer in the 21st minute.

Koroi was in again however only three minutes later and Mackenzie Weale’s try in the 30th minute helped the visitors get out to a 14-4 lead at the break.

Lana Sheedy, who kicked two conversions in the match, also picked up a try to kick-start the second half; with late efforts from centre Shae De La Cruz and young prop Jayda Lofipo coming too late for the Tigers who were out to claim back-to-back wins.

For Panthers coach Craig Green, the win was welcomed, but he knew there was plenty to work on before his side took on Tweed Seagulls in Round 4.

“A win is a win; it was a pretty ugly win,” Green said after the match.

“We didn’t complete as many sets as we would have liked and we played some really dumb footy – but at the end of the day, the commitment was there, and we came away with the win.”

However, he was proud of his team and knew the hard work they put in now would pay off later in the season and beyond.

“They are a young side. We have got about 10 players who are aged 21 and under,” Green said.

“So, whilst we haven’t won many games this year, we are going to be strong for the rest of this season and more importantly, into the future.”

Next weekend, the Tigers will face off against the North Queensland Gold Stars in Townsville.