IN a Bathurst derby as good as they come St Pat’s came away narrow 26-24 victors from their Group 10 under 18s qualifying final against Panthers.
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Pat’s recovered from a 16-10 half-time deficit to get themselves out to a 26-16 lead with 10 minutes to spare.
A Michael Latu hat trick helped put the Saints in the box seat at Carrington Park but the Panthers still had plenty left of fight left in them.
Tries to Finlay Grabham and Cody Craib brought the boys in black within two points at full-time, with the former lining up a conversion to send the match into extra time.
Grabham’s kicked went left of the uprights, resulting a subdued celebrations from the Saints as they consoled the Panthers centre.
The journey’s not over for Panthers who now take on Mudgee Dragons for a place in the preliminary final.
Pat’s now take on Orange CYMS for the first grand final spot.
“These close games happen every time we play these guys. Our boys stepped up today. It’s a different ball game in semi-finals but the boys were ready for it,” Saints coach Chika Booth said.
“This was a reversal of last time we played them. We blew them off the park at the start and they came back. This time we were the ones who came back.”
Panthers fullback John Bird found two quick-fire tries to get his side off to a flying start.
Bird almost had a hat trick inside the opening 10 minutes but was brought into touch during a dash down the right sideline.
Saints didn’t drop their heads and soon hit back through Tye Siakisoni and Lachlan Dagg.
A try for Braydon Wicks close to half-time put Panthers back in front.
Latu was unstoppable in the second half as he raced in for all three of his tries in the space of 25 minutes.
Grabham and Craib brought the Panthers within striking distance but their side came up short.