Senior Winter League title contenders Warwick Workman’s Club Panthers closed the gap on idle league leaders Data Tech Netts at the weekend.Panthers crushed lowly SS Warriors 83-18 at Bernard Park on Saturday to remain in second level on 18 points with leaders Data Tech who had a bye.Warriors found themselves at a disadvantage playing with only five players.Bermuda international Kirstin Saltus scored 45 points for Panthers while veteran goal shooter Deborah Deshields added 38. There was no information provided on Warriors’ scorers.Panthers coach Debbie Saltus, who is the mother of versatile player Kirstin, said: “The girls played well and I had two people in defence that are not regulars because Kirstin and Roydelle Robinson normally play in defence. “Because we knew the team (Warriors) wasn’t that strong I thought I would use Sideya Dill and Kiantae Glasford in defence. This was actually Keunte’s first game per see in a number of years and I thought that she and Sideya played really well. I wanted them to get some practise and they did really well, everybody did really well.”Having Dill and Glasford in defence allowed sharp shooter Kirstin Saltus to return to her team’s attack where she held her end of the bargain with a prolific display.“Kirstin is normally a shooter but because we don’t have any defensive players she’s been playing in defence for the season,” added coach Saltus.Panthers are currently without the services of several key players from last season due to school studies abroad. Only three members on the current squad are survivors from last season’s team.Fortunately, though, Panthers picked up a few seasoned players like Benjamin during the off season who have blended well in the team.“I think the experience and youth that we have is gelling very well together,” added coach and former Bermuda Netball Association president Saltus.Meanwhile, moving up from fourth to third was defending league champions Young Men’s Social Club Lady Bluebirds who thumped bottom side North Village Lady Rams Too 62-8. Goal shooter Danielle Raynor poured in 39 points for Lady Bluebirds while Lynnique Castle led Lady Rams Too’s scoring with four points.Lady Bluebirds are currently level on points with Data Tech and Panthers who have more games in hand and a superior goal difference than the reigning league champions.Saturday’s remaining Senior Winter League match saw SS Tigers claw their way to a 39-23 win against Young Men’s Social Club Blazzin Bluebirds. Jahtuere Trott scored 22 points for Tigers while Rose Richardson added ten. Twins Aisha (13) and Akelah Hendrickson (10) accounted for Blazzin Bluebirds’ scoring.Tigers’ win, their fourth of the season, catapulted them two places up the standings from seventh to fifth.League newcomers Robin Hood requested to have their match with Signworx rescheduled because several of their players are currently off Island, league officials confirmed.At the completion of the first half of the season the ten-team league will be divided into two groups with the top five teams playing for the ‘A’ Division title and the remaining teams to compete for the ‘B’ Division title.