The Penrith Panthers Division One Youth League women's team has captured the 2016 Waratah Youth League premiership title, following two tightly-fought play-off games on the Central Coast over the weekend.
The Panthers faced the Northern Suburbs Bears in the semi-finals on Saturday and led 8-6, 21-18 and 37-34 at the completion of the first three quarters respectively, before running out narrow winners 66-61.
The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles also won through in their semi-final, thrashing minor premiers Central Coast Crusaders 67-33 in a dominant victory.
Penrith were primed for a big game in the grand final and once again led at every break (20-17, 37-34 and 51-44), before claiming the premiership title with a 66-61 victory.
Top scorers in the semi-final were Chloe Bloom with 14 points, Ella Tofaeono 12, Emily Potts 9, Dominika Offner (Springwood) 8 and Natalia Beaumont (Emu Heights) 8.
Tofaeono again led the way in the grand final with 22 points, ahead of Beaumont 14, Potts 12 and Offner 8.
The full Penrith team is Eliza Jurd, Rhiannon Pope, Jaimee-Lee Clark, Dominika Offner (Springwood), Binta Salawu, Meg Creanor, Ella Tofaeono, Chloe Bloom, Natalia Beaumont (Emu Heights), Emily Potts, head coach Leonie Moore, assistant coach Adam Reid, manager Chloe Schneider and team assistant Kate Pozoglou (Katoomba).
Tatiana Beaumont (Emu Heights) and Meg Jefferson (Springwood) also played during the season but did not qualify for the play-offs.
Tofaeono was voted the "Best Defensive Player" for the season and also won selection to the "All-Star Five".
Penrith centre Adam Lulka also won selection to the "All-Star Five" in the men's division.
