LAVINGTON Panthers scored their biggest victory in two years when it crushed Southcity 48-8 in Group Nine rugby league at Greenfield Park yesterday.
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With full-back Nathan Coelli continuing his outstanding season and Ricky Hurunui creating havoc up front, the Panthers led from start to finish and looked anything but the team that were sitting on the bottom of the ladder before the match.
Officials believe it was the club’s most decisive win since it won nine matches in a row under Brett Trudgett’s leadership in early 2006.
Panthers coach Matt Adams said his team wanted to make life as difficult as possible for travelling teams.
“It’s been a while since we haven’t conceded any points for a half and I was really proud of the way the boys went about it,” Adams said.
“We had a tough start to the season and stuck at it and now things are starting to take shape.
“I was really happy with the win and the best thing is that we have a lot of improvement left in us.
“We changed things around a little today and, while a few of the boys probably weren’t too keen on it, I thought it showed in the end that we have 17 contributors and not 13.”
Coelli contributed a little more than most.
The former Yanco star made Southcity’s defence look second rate in the second-half as the home team turned a 16-8 half-time buffer into a landslide win.
Adams said Coelli was growing in confidence with each match.
“He’s a very good player and is important to the way we want to play,” he said.
“Nathan is still getting used to our game plan and when that happens look out.”
The Panthers also had fine performers in Adam Mroz and Lee Rowley, while promising youngster Mitch Seaton made a big impact coming off the bench.
Southcity coach Greg Lynch tried to inspire his charges but Simon Parr and Kyle McCarthy were among the few to respond in a disappointing performance.
In other matches, Kangaroos edged out Cootamundra 18-16, Tumbarumba thumped Gundagai 50-26, Brothers accounted for Junee 26-10 and Tumut outclassed Young 32-14.
Meanwhile, Group Nine defeated Group Seven 32-16 at Mick Cronin Oval at Gerringong, with Brendan Sing and McCarthy turning in strong showings.