Kai Langfield passing the ball out of the scrum.
In one of the most exciting Friday night clashes of the season, the Young Yabbies claimed a dramatic 31-28 win over the Grenfell Panthers under the floodlights of Bembrick Oval.
The game was a heart-stopper from start to finish, with both teams leaving everything on the field in an 80-minute showdown that had spectators holding their breath until the final whistle.
The match started strongly for the Yabbies, drawing first blood through a stunning solo effort. Selling the defence with a clever dummy pass. But the Panthers had other ideas.
Grenfell returned from the break with renewed energy and purpose. They took full advantage of Yabbies’ handling errors and defensive gaps, mounting an impressive comeback. With speed on the wings and precision in execution, the Panthers ran in four second-half tries to snatch the lead. Their relentless pressure, particularly in the opening 20 minutes of the second stanza, saw them surge ahead 28-24.
Just when it seemed like the home side would complete the comeback and steal the win, the Yabbies dug deep for one last push. With the clock ticking down and time all but up, Young found themselves with final possession.
What followed was a nail-biting sequence of controlled play that pushed the Panthers back into their 20-metre line. Tackle after tackle, ruck after ruck, the Yabbies refused to yield. Charlie Sullivan, who had been faultless all night at fullback, stepped up for the most important kick of the game. He slotted the conversion with nerves of steel, sealing a dramatic 31-28 victory for the Yabbies and silencing the Grenfell crowd.
Sullivan’s heroics earned him the well-deserved Players’ Player award, not only for the match-winning kick but also for his rock-solid performance at the back, safely securing every long ball and directing play with calm assurance.
Yabbies captain Will Munday praised the resilience of his side after the game. “We knew Grenfell would come at us hard in the second half, and they put us under pressure,” Munday said. “But the boys showed massive heart. That final push was all about grit and belief. I couldn’t be prouder of how we finished it off.”
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