The NSW Cup Panthers overcame a slow start to beat the Knights in a high scoring affair at BlueBet Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Knights got the scoring started early in the piece, a left side raid finishing with a cutout from Pryce to Jenkins, who dove into the corner to score. Conversion unsuccessful, 0-4.
The Panthers run of slow starts continued, with Jaxson Rahme crashing over to extend the lead out. Conversion successful, 0-10.
It took 16 minutes for the Panthers to find their first points with Luke Sommerton the beneficiary of some slick play from Samuel Lane. It was Fonua who created a 3 on 2 down the right edge, finding Lane who went through, only to cut back inside and beat his opposing man, getting to the fullback and offloading to Sommerton for a classy try. Conversion successful, 6-10.
Just four minutes later, the Panthers had the lead, a backline shift to the left edge going through Fonua’s hands and finding its way to Asu Kepaoa who scored in the corner untouched. Conversion successful, 12-10.
The momentum continued when Tyrone Peachey found his way to the line, Jackson Hastings trying to bait an obstruction opened up a huge hole, and Peachey made use of it, darting back inside to score. Conversion Successful, 18-10.
Points continued to rain down at Bluebet, Soni Luke this time drifting across field before finding Brad Schneider who ran a tidy line to burst through the Knights defence. Schneider still had a bit to do but he forced his way over the cover defenders to get to the line. Conversion successful, 24-10.
The Knights hit back finally in the 36th minute with Pryce putting Thomas Cant into space, and he ran 15 metres to score. Conversion successful, 24-16.
Sione Fonua continued to look dangerous for the Panthers, going millimetres away from scoring when space was created for him on the left edge. It wasn’t long after that Daeon Amituanai had a try, darting from dummy-half at close range. Conversion successful, 30-16.
In the 55th minute, Hastings went right to the line, and threw a quality short ball to put Clay Webb through and over for the Knights next points, keeping the game alive. Conversion successful, 30-22.
The Panthers got away in the 62nd minute, Schneider putting Riley Wake into space on the left side, and he did the rest, running 20 metres to extend the lead. Conversion successful, 36-22.
Will Pryce answered back, taking an intercept inside the Knights 20, and taking it all the way to the try line, and keeping the Knights in touch. Conversion unsuccessful, 36-26.
Nick Murphy was given space on the left edge and made full use of it, beating his winger and scoring to ice the game. Conversion unsuccessful, 40-26.
