Saturday 13th May at Pepper Stadium
Penrith 36: Tries: Yeo (2), Blake (1), Moylan (1), Peachey (1), D. Watene-Zelezniak (1); Goals: Cleary (6) | New Zealand 28
More: themightypanthers.com/match1188.htm
The Warriors scored the first three tries to hold a 16-0 lead in the 18th minute, which was aided by a one man advantage with Waqa Blake sin binned in the 11th minute for a professional foul.
Penrith’s first try came through Isaah Yeo, with Nathan Cleary’s conversion making it 16-6.
However, two more tries to the visitors saw them lead 28-6 at half time.
The Panthers were the first to score after the resumption of play when Yeo ran off a short ball from Bryce Cartwright and crossed for a double on the 46 minute mark.
Back to back tries soon after, the first to an unmarked Dallin Watene-Zelezniak from a Cartwright cross field kick and then the second to Waqa Blake from a line break had reduced the Warriors lead to just 4 points in the 55th minute.
With all of the momentum, Penrith had completely wiped the 22 point half time deficit 18 minutes into the second half when Matt Moylan weaved his way through the Warriors defence, with Cleary’s conversion seeing Penrith lead for the first time after 60 minutes.
The Panthers kept pressing and the knockout blow was performed with less than five minutes remaining when Watene-Zelezniak broke the line and found Tyrone Peachey in support and planting the ball in the corner. Cleary completed a perfect 6 from 6 with the boot with his sideline conversion and the Panthers had sensationally snapped a worrying five match losing streak, and also recording their 500th premiership victory.