West Warrnambool snaps 12-year premiership drought in under 15s in win over Brierly-Christ Church

That's the assessment of the Panthers' newest premiership coaches after the club snapped its 12-year under 15 flag drought on Sunday.

West Warrnambool stunned Brierly-Christ Church at Uebergang Oval, winning by 35 runs, to put the heartache of recent seasons to bed.

The Panthers had endured two under 15 grand final defeats in the past three seasons.

Co-coaches Anton Lucas and Steve McConnell said the club's junior program was in a strong position.

"We've got a lot of good kids from 18-down really," Lucas told The Standard.

"The hardest part is keeping them all around and playing cricket.

"The club's in a good spot with its juniors. The under 17s are in the semi-final as well so things are looking pretty bright for the club."

The coaching duo said West Warrnambool's 107-run total left the side nervous as Brierly-Christ Church began its chase.

The Bulls were none for 26 before Taj Atchison and Dylan Carter combined to remove Will Colla and Isaac Wilson.

It swung momentum back in the Panthers' favour.

"They got off to a good start," McConnell said.

"We thought we were maybe 20 or 30 short because they're a pretty good team.

"When they were none for about 25 we thought 'this could be a bit hard' but the boys really dug down.

"That was really the turning point, those early wickets."

Fielding has also been a key emphasis in McConnell and Lucas' training structure - and the duo felt it paid off.

"Most think of batting and bowling - and we're guilty as well - but we did a lot of work on fielding," McConnell said.

"I think that really showed. We stopped a couple of balls we previously would have missed, the throwing was good.

"We were hitting targets with our throws rather than missing by five metres.

"It just puts a bit more pressure on the batsman. Hopefully the boys realise what we've been trying to drum into them all year, that it actually works."

McConnell described his side's strong off-field chemistry as vital to the victory.

"We have a bit of a muck around at most training sessions," he said.

"We take it seriously, but muck around at the same time.

"They're a pretty laid back bunch of kids, but they love their cricket.

"As a team, they're really good. They get on really well. A lot of them go to school together and there's a few from other schools too but they mix well.

"They hang a bit on each other when it's needed and they give it back.

"They're just a really good bunch of kids."

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