Panthers v Broncos preview
5 hours ago | Rhys Sullivan
Cronulla have overcome the loss of five players to Origin duty to extend their winning streak to thirteen matches, delivering a 26-10 victory over Penrith at Pepper Stadium today in front of 12,682 fans.
Ben Barba was the star of the show - a show which was almost stolen by the hilarious appearance of a black domestic cat on the field, prompting countless memes on social media.
Yep, it's a black cat on the field at a @PenrithPanthers game... #NRL #NRLPanthersSharks pic.twitter.com/IaiaSENiFr
— NRL (@NRL) July 10, 2016
Penrith had all of the early running in a tight contest at the foot of the mountains - recording plenty of possession inside the Sharks' 20m - but having nothing to show for it.
After absorbing plenty of pressure in defence, the Sharks then broke ranks, Ben Barba latching onto the ball and outrunning the Panthers defence against the run of play. His effort in the 24th minute was backed up another eight minutes later and only Valentine Holmes' poor kicking radar kept Penrith in with a sniff - a sniff they took when Leilani Latu crashed over under the posts in the minutes before halftime.
Trailing 8-6, Penrith looked likely to level the scores on the buzzer when Nathan Cleary attempted a penalty from 35m out, but he missed to the left and the Sharks held on to a two point lead.
A blazing ten minute period from the 50th minute saw the Sharks home ultimately - Mitch Brown scored on his return to the NRL after over a year out of first grade, before Joseph Paulo scored a painfully easy try from a Will Smith error on the line. Chad Townsend took over kicking duties, converting Cronulla's fourth try of the day, then adding a penalty minutes later. In the space of ten minutes the visitors had gone from 8-6 to 20-6 in front, and the game was as good as sealed.
The result was assured in the 69th minute when Luke Lewis crossed off a handy short ball before navigating poor Penrith defence, before an Isaah Yeo break late in the game delivered a consolation four pointer for the hosts, bringing the scoreline to 26-10 and sending the travelling fans and their trumpet home in delirium.
The next couple of weeks could well seal the J.J. Giltinan Shield - Cronulla are two points clear of the Storm on the table and face the 15th placed Roosters (Monday night at Allianz) and 16th placed Knights in the next fortnight. The Panthers don't need to move for seven days - they'll face Parramatta right back here at Pepper Stadium, 4pm next Sunday.
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