AN Aaron Bell field goal in golden point extra time has gifted Bathurst Panthers a gripping 15-14 major semi-final win and the first place in this year’s Group 10 first division grand final.

Behind Orange CYMS on the scoreboard for the entire game, Panthers scored through Michael Wicks with two minutes remaining, his four-pointer between the sticks enabling Bell to pot what was an easy equalising conversion to land the men in black level with the green and golds at 14-all.

Headed for golden point, Panthers kicked off, but handled the first set defensively and when afforded their first opportunity to secure victory, Bell pounced.

A lovely 25-metre left-foot drop goal the only difference between the two best first division sides this year.

“Just kick it,” Bell said after the game, his thought process behind the one-pointer was very simple.

“I kicked one earlier in the year but not one that hard.

“It’s nice not to play next week, and we can focus on two week’s time. It definitely wasn’t our best game today, but we got through.”

A dour slug-fest for virtually the entire 70 minutes, CYMS got the ball rolling points-wise come the 20 minute mark when Luke Coleman defied the defensive dominance of both teams to waltz through a gap and score.

Bevan Parker slotted the extras and CYMS led 6-nil, a scoreline that stood at the break.

Panthers fullback Josh Small scored a nice try for Panthers 10 minutes after the resumption of play, and he was then involved in the next try as well - just he mightn’t remember it.

CYMS reserve prop Ethan Bereyne steamed through the Panthers defence, and when faced with Small at the back, chose to neglect his support players inside and outside him and run straight over the top of the Bathurst fullback.

It worked.

Bereyne scored, and Small was left sprawled out 15 metres away as CYMS raced to a 10-4 lead.

Scott Comerford’s try made it 10-8, then Dylan Wood scored a 70-metre individual try to land the hosts a 14-8 advantage, that stood until Wicks scored late and Panthers snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

“We’ve had a lot of close games this year,” Bell continued.

“We shoot ourselves in the foot in attack but we keep turning up in defence and that’s what matters.”

CYMS captain-coach Ryan Prevett was disappointed his side couldn’t make the most of chances they were presented with.

“Very disappointed, there’s a few positives there but a couple of little things in our own line defensively cost us,” he said.

“We weren’t far off the pace but it’s a bit disappointing.”

BATHURST PANTHERS 15 (Mick Wicks, Scott Comerford, Josh Small tries; Aaron Bell goal; Aaron Bell field goal) def ORANGE CYMS 14 (Luke Coleman, Ethan Bereyne; Dylan Wood tries; Bevan Parker goal)