Goalkeeper Pratt’s instinctive stretch kept out an unguarded header in the dying stages of the game against the Jaffas, who defeated the Bears in last year’s NSW National Premier League grand final.

Rob Macbeth and Garry McDonald did the work at the other end of the field to give Weston victory and continue their unbeaten record at Rockwell Automotive Park from last season.

Bears captain Carl Thornton said the victory was based on a team effort in defence and some remarkable work by Pratt in goal. 

“That one at the end was a tremendous save where he managed to get a touch on it into the bar,” Thornton said.

“He’s been tremendous since the start of the year.  It gives you great confidence when you 

play at the back and you’ve got someone like Patty to pull off saves like that.

“We were very compact in defence and really worked as a team. I think in the end that’s what got us the result.”

Thornton said the Bears were able to take their chances up forward, with Rob Macbeth equalising soon after the Jaffas scored in the 15th minute.

“We got the winner with about 20 to go. Garry McDermott and Jason Cowburn had a great ­interplay and Garry got it home.

“We probably sat back at the end trying to defend the game.  They came hard at us, but everyone got back behind the ball and we were compact in defence and desperate. 

“We were able to nullify most of their scoring chance and, any that did get through, Patty was able to cover.

“It was a tremendous team effort. Eveyone put in and that’s what we need for the rest of the ­season if we want to keep on winning.”

Thornton said there was no real sense of revenge from last year’s grand final loss to the Jaffas.

“It was the win that we needed I think after the slow pre-season we had. It’s a good confidence booster for the boys going into the next few matches.

“I don’t think you get revenge for a grand final loss, but it’s satisfying to beat them. 

“To have a win over last year’s grand final winners and will give us great confidence.

“They are predicted to be the benchmark for this year. 

“Not many people expected us to win this game or go well throughout the season. 

“It’s good that we’ve been able to prove a few people wrong already and hopefully we can continue it for the rest of the season.”

Thornton said the team was keen to maintain Bear Park’s reputation as a fortress. 

The Bear Park has always been a fortress. Teams hate coming up here because it’s hard to get a result.”

“It was the win that we needed I think after the slow pre-season we had. It’s a good ­confidence booster for the boys going into the next few matches.

“I don’t think you get revenge for a grand final loss, but it’s satisfying to beat them. 

“To have a win over last year’s grand final winners and it will give us great confidence.

“They are predicted to be the benchmark for this year. 

“Not many people expected us to win this game or go well throughout the season. 

“It’s good that we’ve been able to prove a few people wrong already and hopefully we can continue it for the rest of the season.”

Thornton said the team was keen to maintain Bear Park’s reputation as a fortress. 

“The Bear Park has always been a fortress. Teams hate coming up here because it’s hard to get a result,” he said.