The Black and Whites will head into the League Tag grand final this weekend with the Hay Magpies following a 16-8 win over the minor premiers Yenda at Exies Oval on Sunday.
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The Blueheelers were able to take an early lead with Serenity Laweloa finding her way around the Black and Whites defence to score in the corner.
The lead was short lived as the Panthers hit back three minutes later when Bianca Sutton was able to find a gap in the middle of the Yenda defence and score under the post. The successful conversion from Shailyn Williams gave the Black and Whites a 6-4 lead.
The Panthers were able to score a second try through Hollie Penrith to extend their lead to 10-4 before Yenda were able to get the game back to 10-8 just before the halftime when Maddison Payne was able to find the try line.
The Black and Whites were able to secure their place in the grand final with the only try of the second half when Jadha Anderson scored next to the post, and with a successful conversion from Williams, the Panthers came away with the eight-point win.
Coach Shailyn Williams was proud of the way her side performed against the talented Blueheelers side.
“It was a gutsy effort,” she said.
“Take no credit away from Yenda they were top of the ladder minor premiers for a reason, and they didn't give it to us we had to work hard. My girls turned up today and defence was once again the key, and our attack flowed.”
Holding a two-point at the break, Williams knew her side was going to have to be switched on and during a period of sustained pressure they were able to hold out the Blueheelers offence.
“We went into the second half with the lead and to then hold the lead and to put points on was really good,” she said.
“The second half was important because we slackened off throughout the year and in finals until that point.”
The Panthers will look to right the wrongs of two weeks ago when they take on Hay on Sunday
