Saturday 6th August at GIO Stadium
Penrith 26 – Tries: S. Crichton (1), Edwards (1), Leniu (1), Martin (1); Goals: S. Crichton (5) | South Sydney 22
More: themightypanthers.com/match1327.htm
Penrith struck first in only the third minute when Stephen Crichton pounced on a loose pass and ran just over 60 metres to plant the ball under the posts. His conversion gave the visitors a 6-0 lead.
The hosts scored next, but the try remained unconverted with Penrith still leading by 2.
A Dylan Edwards try which saw him slice through the Rabbitohs defence two passes off a scrum 30 metres out extended Penrith’s lead, however, a converted South Sydney try plus a penalty conversion had the two teams locked up at 12-all at half time.
A penalty conversion off the boot of Crichton nine minutes after the resumption inched the Panthers ahead.
In the 53rd minute, a short grubber from Apisai Koroisau only metres out entered the in goal area, and then bounced to the right. Spencer Leniu was the first to successfully ground the ball, and thus claimed a try. Crichton’s extras gave Penrith a 20-12 lead.
South Sydney would cross for the next two tries, one of them converted, to lead 22-20 heading into the final 10 minutes.
A second penalty conversion from Crichton with five minutes left tied it up at 22-all.
With the match seemingly headed to golden point extra time, the Panthers were camped inside the Rabbitoh’s defensive 20 metre area and in prime field goal range. But on the fourth tackle, they passed to the right edge, with Koroisau firing a pass to a rampaging Liam Martin who from only metres out barged his way over the line with just under two minutes left. Although Crichton was not able to convert, Penrith were able to hold their four point lead, aided by the Rabbitohs not able to successfully execute a short kick off from the restart.
This victory ensured that the Panthers would finish as minor premiers for the 2022 season.
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