Penrith Panthers are back in the winner’s circle after a 24-16 victory against the Canberra Raiders at BlueBet Stadium on Saturday afternoon
A gutsy performance from the Panthers saw the mountain men bounce back from their loss last week and secure the two points.
A one-on-one strip from five-eighth Kurt Falls gifted the Panthers an opportunity early in the first half. Prop Liam Henry found the line in the second minute, pushing through defenders to cross over for the games first four-pointer. Falls added the two points with his first conversion of the day being right on target.
A seven-tackle set placed the home team back on the attack. Strong runs from their front men saw Penrith march up the field to be within 10 metres from their try line, however strong defence from the Raiders saw the Panthers fail to score their second try of the game.
The visitors hit back on their next set, with five-eighth Joshua James regathering the ball of the kick on the fifth tackle, passing the ball out to centre Semi Valemei who crossed over in the corner.
Raiders captain Jarrod Crocker successfully converted Valemei’s try from the sideline to level the score to 6-all.
Off the back of three repeat sets to the visitors, a strong defensive set from the Panthers ensured that the men in green were turned away from their line, keeping the score levelled.
Panthers hooker Luke Sommerton placed his team out in front in the 31st minute, diving out from dummy half to score right next to the posts.
Falls’ conversion was successful extending the home teams lead out to six points.
A line break from Sommerton off the kick off saw the hooker race 30 metres down field and back into Raiders territory. Working off the back of a quick play the ball, the Panthers used this to their advantage shifting the ball out to the right to winger Tom Jenkins, stepped past defenders to score.
Falls missed the conversion from close to the sideline, leaving the score at 16-6 with six minutes remaining in the first half.
HALF TIME: PANTHERS 16 – RAIDERS 6
A handful of errors from both sides in the opening 10 minutes saw each team struggle to build momentum.
Penrith found their feet in the 60th minute, with centre Jack Cole chasing through on the kick on the fifth, regathering the ball on the bounce to cross over for the teams fourth try.
Falls converted the try from in front of the posts to extend the lead out to 22-6.
Off the back off a penalty and a six again, the Raiders tested the Panthers in attack on every play. Fullback Chevy Stewart found a hole in Penrith’s defensive line late in their final set, stepping through defenders to crash over under the posts.
Croker’s conversion was successful closing the score to a 10-point difference at 22-12.
The Raiders continued to pile on the points off the kick off, through a line break on the third tackle which saw the opposition only 30 metres out from their try line. Carrying momentum from their last play, Canberra passed the ball out quickly to the right, with Valemei scoring his second try of the day.
Croker’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful leaving the score at 22-16.
With only ten minutes remaining, a penalty was awarded to Penrith 20 metres out from the posts. Penrith opted to go for the two points, with Falls’ successfully converting to extend their lead back out to 24-16.
While the Raiders tested the Panthers in attack desperate to steal the win, Penrith proved to be too good.
FULL TIME: PANTHERS 24 – RAIDERS 16.
