SAWTELL Panthers women have capped off a great debut season in the North Coast Women’s Rugby League competition by winning the premiership.

The Panthers women won this season’s grand final, beating the Macleay Valley Mustangs 18-0 in the season decider at Kempsey.

Tries to Tina McRae, Zoie Shreiweis, and Kimberly Duncan gave the Panthers a 12-0 lead at half-time.

The Panthers women would keep the Mustangs scoreless in a great defensive effort, as an Annika Franklin try with two minutes to go sealed the win.

It was the second time the Panthers had beaten the minor premiers this season, as they got the win that counted on the Mustangs home turf.

The Panthers had 12 wins and a draw from their 15 games on their way to winning the North Coast Women’s Rugby League premiership in their first attempt.

Panthers president Colin Fogarty praised the Panthers women, after winning the club’s first seniors premiership since 2019.

“It was a massive defensive effort, to keep them to nil,” he said.

By Aiden BURGESS