Heart attack stuff as Penrith leave it late to pip Canberra

v BYE

It was Penrith's defence that looked likely to be instrumental in their most comfortable win of the year, but the side dubbed the 'Cardiac Kids' would let in two late tries, with a Peter Wallace field goal the difference in a Bathurst thriller as they downed Canberra 19-18!

The clash kicked off in typically enterprising fashion with both sides putting on a show for the faithful in the Golden West. Man of the match Bryce Cartwright would kick off the proceedings with a runaway try, gifting Penrith a 6-0 lead after 5.

A few errors would see Canberra gain some field position, and eventually capitalise with their lethal right edge combining in the corner. The game would then descend into a grinding affair, which would of course be broken by none other than Cartwright. After threatening all game, he put impressive centre Tyrone Peachey over for a try, which would not be converted by Soward. Penrith looked set to get another, but a trysaver from Jack Wighton denied Suaia Matagi a certain 4 pointer. The result was a penalty to the Panthers however, and Soward would elect for the 2 points with two minutes on the clock and Penrith would take a 6-point lead into the break. 

The 2nd half kicked off in grinding fashion as well, with the Raiders and Panthers trading off solid sets to start the half. Both sides went close, with offloads troubling the Raiders and Canberra's bullocking forwards proving an issue for Penrith. Peta Hiku, however, would plant a Moylan grubber for the first points of the 2nd half. Penrith took a commanding 18-6 lead but did their best to invite Canberra back in.

The game descended into a flurry of errors, with Canberra failing to capitalise over numerous sets on Penrith's line, with the hosts' defence monumental. For all their hard work, however, Paul Vaughan and Jordan Rapana would cross over late in the game with perfectly executed tries to set up for a familiar last minute finish.

This time, Peter Wallace would nail a field goal to give Penrith a slender 1 point lead. But the game of course would not be without a grandstand finish, Canberra regaining the ball off the kickoff inside the final minute. An Aidan Sezer field goal attempt was charged down, and Penrith held on for a heart stopping win! The Raiders would be left to rue close calls by the bunker, yet both sides will not be happy with poor handling errors. Ultimately it was Penrith's defence which won them this one, and now Penrith's 9 games this season have been decided, on average, by just 3 points!

Penrith now head east for a mid-season run-in with the Warriors in Christchurch in Round 10, whilst the Raiders tackle the Dragons at Kogarah when the NRL resumes after the rep weekend.