Penrith Panthers have opened the NSW Cup season with a 28-18 victory over Sydney Roosters at St Marys Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Facing an experienced Roosters side that featured the likes of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Connor Watson, Egan Butcher, Michael Jennings and Dylan Napa, the Panthers held on for a gutsy victory in the opening round.
Although Soni Luke was a late withdrawal from the side due to NRL duties, the Panthers gained Tyrone Peachey, while Mavrik Geyer and Daine Laurie flew back from Melbourne on the morning of the game to play.
The Panthers opened the scoring with winger Daeon Amituanai crossing in the third minute of the match with Paul Alamoti adding the extras for a 6-0 lead.
The Roosters hit back through Ethan King after half an hour, however the Panthers gained a 12-6 lead into half-time after fullback Isaiah Iongi bagged a four-pointer.
Panthers forward Harrison Hassett was first to score after the break, but the Roosters immediately hit back with a Benaiah Ioelu try.
The match was going try for try - Peachey crossed for the Panthers and King scored for the Roosters.
Iongi bagged his second try of the afternoon in the 64th minute and Alamoti landed the conversion to give the Panthers a 28-18 lead.
However when King crossed for his third try of the match, the Roosters had set up a grandstand finish.
Despite a finger-biting final five minutes, the Panthers held on to claim two competition points to open the season.
Next up the Panthers will host Parramatta Eels at BlueBet Stadium on Friday evening.
