Saturday 17th May at Bruce Stadium
Penrith 26 – Tries: Whatuira (2), Rodney (1), Rooney (1); Goals: Campbell (5) | Canberra 18
More: themightypanthers.com/match0840.htm
A 2-0 lead after 5 minutes was extended further with two tries in the final 10 minutes of the half – the first was to Paul Whatuira when he took an inside pass from Craig Gower to power his way over, and was extended on the verge of the break when Shane Rodney one pass off the ruck ran 65 metres down the left edge to touch down, with Preston Campbell’s conversion making it 14-0.
However, the Raiders would post the first three tries of the second half to lead 18-14 after 62 minutes.
With 11 minutes remaining, the Panthers levelled it up when Tony Puletua offloaded a pass to Luke Rooney inside their own defensive half and ran down the sideline to touch down in the corner, with Campbell’s conversion making it 20-18.
With two minutes remaining, Penrith closed out the contest when Rhys Wesser placed a well weighted grubber into the in goal, with Paul Whatuira diving on it to claim the try.
The Mighty Panthers 