TEAMS: NSWRL U17 UNE Harold Matthews Cup - 2024 Round 8
4 mins ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
Matt Moylan's boot has guided the Penrith Panthers to a 15-14 win over the Gold Coast at Cbus Super Stadium tonight in front of 18,000 fans.
The Panthers defended bravely for the whole game yet errors invited the Titans to set up a possible Golden Point thriller, but in the end Matt Moylan overshadowed Titans star Jarryd Hayne, kicking the winning field goal and securing a spot in the finals for the Mountain Men.
It was a fierce start to the clash with both sides putting on big hits up front in the early softening up period. Yet it would be the significantly smaller Moylan who would make the first impact in this one, slicing and stepping through the Gold Coast defence for a scintillating opening try.
The Titans would then receive the ball via a Cartwright error but the Penrith defence held true, and an overturned decision by the Bunker against Hayne would prove critical moments later. Leilani Latu charged through for a massive run before Cartwright would burst through and the subsequent overlap saw Waqa Blake score Penrith's second in the 16th minute.
Missed tackles were hurting the Titans early, yet a couple of relieving penalties would gift them with a chance to bounce back. The home side camped themselves on Penrith's line for no result, with the visitors' dedication in defence standing tall, denying the Gold Coast a crucial try.
Nathan Cleary opted for a penalty goal in the 27th minute to extend his sides lead before Ashley Taylor would break away off a loose Cleary pass, but somehow Penrith held on again. The Titans threatened once more with Pulu giving a perfect pass for Hayne on the inside, only for Moylan to come up with a great hit and stop the charging 'Hayne Train'. The Gold Coast forced a repeat set with two minutes to play before the break, yet despite holding 55% possession they would head into the sheds down 14-0.
The Titans continued to dominate possession in the second half courtesy of a combination of Penrith penalties and errors. Leivaha Pulu would get the Titans back into it with a charging run in the 44th minute, and off that the Gold Coast threatened the Panthers' line on multiple occasions.
Penrith needed to settle down as consecutive penalties gifted the Titans a chance to grab another. The game would descend into multiple errors, with Penrith in particular unable to close this one out and an error from Peachey would see Bird reach out later and score a disappointing try for Penrith's otherwise brave defence in the 66th minute.
Another error, this time by Cartwright would see the Titans gain more field possession and a subsequent penalty would see the tenacious Titans lock it up at 14 apiece. Yet it would be Peachey who would prove critical, breaking through the line in the 77th minute and off the back of the run Moylan would ice an impressive game to seal a hard-fought 15-14 win.
In the end the Titans looked likely to stun the Panthers late, but it was the away side's defence which proved the winner tonight.
The Warriors and Tigers can now make the eight if they are to win both of their next two games, so the Titans' season will almost certainly go on the line next Saturday when they play the Cowboys at 1300Smiles Stadium. Meanwhile, with a Top 8 spot now confirmed it will be interesting to see whether Penrith get complacent when they host Manly on Sunday night at Pepper Stadium in the last game of the regular season.
-
Venue:
Crowd:
Halftime Score: