Saturday 26th May at Panthers Stadium
Penrith 28 – Tries: Campbell-Gillard (1), Cleary (1), Crichton (1), Kikau (1); Goals: Maloney (6) | St. George Illawarra 2
More: themightypanthers.com/match1216.htm
After a frenetic opening period where both teams created attacking opportunities, the opening scoring came from a penalty conversion to the home team after 23 minutes.
With 6 minutes remaining before half time, the Panthers scored the first try when Nathan Cleary took the ball 25 metres out, shaped to pass to his left and then sliced through the Dragons defence. Maloney converted for an 8-0 lead at half time.
Eight minutes in the second half, the Dragons got onto the scoreboard with a penalty conversion, but soon after Penrith once again made it a 6 point lead.
A sweep to the right edge after 54 minutes saw winger Christian Crichton over power the defence to outstretch his right arm and plant the ball over the line in the corner. Maloney’s sideline conversion saw the Panthers lead 16-2.
With 10 minutes remaining, Penrith appeared to secure the premiership points when Viliame Kikau monstered his way over the line, dragging along a number of Dragons players with him. The successful conversion made it 22-2.
The contest was iced with only 30 seconds remaining when replacement hooker Wayde Egan toed the ball through and was dived on by Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
The 28-2 victory resulted in the Penrith leap frogging St. George Illawarra to be competition leaders at the midway point of the season.
The Mighty Panthers 