Girdler notches up 100 as Panthers
win

The Panthers centre Ryan Girdler notches up his 100th first class try for the Panthers with his team putting in a good performance against the Rabbitohs at Penrith Stadium, winning 38-4. The only other Penrith player to have reached this milestone is Greg Alexander.

With a score of 18-0 at the halftime break, and the strong wind at their backs for the next 40, the flood gates looked set to open in the second half but to the credit of the Rabbitohs defence, the points came but had to be earned. The Souths side never gave up in defence and were finally rewarded with a try midway through the second half.

Penrith never looked troubled and although the score indicates it was an easy win, the injury ravaged Rabbitohs made them work for their points all the way.

Fine displays by the famous three for the Panther, Campbell, Gower and Pridis meant there was alway going to be plenty of ball to work with. They now have a bye in the next round.

Penrith Football Stadium Referee: Tony Archer Video Referee: Paul Simpkins. Touch Judges: David Abood, Russell Turner Scorers: PANTHERS 38 Tries: Campbell, Roberts, Gower 2, Lewis, Priddis, Girdler Goals: Girdler 5/7 defeated RABBITOHS 4 Tries: Skinnon Goals: Hanbury 0/1

By the clock: Great crowd at Penrith this afternoon. Panthers running into quite a strong breeze for the first 40 mins. Jason Death playing his 200th first grade game today.

0 min: Kick off!!

5th min: NEWS - Solid start by both sides

10th min: NEWS - First penalty of the game to Penrith seemed to fire them up, many offloads but unfortunately for them, the ball is lost forward close to the line. Great scrambling defence by the Rabbitohs. 0-0

15th min: NEWS - Pressure starting to be mounted by the Panthers. Very close to scoring after Gower puts a high ball into the wind to Robert's wing who taps it back in field but is caught by a Rabbitohs player. No score yet in the game.

18th min: TRY - Campbell for Panthers. After some great defence, the Rabbitohs a little guilty of standing off Campbell, and he made them pay, darting around and scoring. Girdler adds the extra 2 points into the wind. Panthers 6-0

20th min: TRY - Roberts for Panthers. A great set of six for the fired up home side. Gower puts a perfectly timed high kick which comes down just beside the posts. Roberts flies through to collect his 12th try in the season to date. Girdler converts. Panthers 12-0

25th min: NEWS - Souths defence is holding as the Panthers seem to have the weight of possession. Must take it's toll later in the game

30th min: TRY - Gower for Panthers. A penalty to the Panthers to set up great field position. Waterhouse breaks the line. 2 more tackles and Gower reaches out over the line to score. Girdler from 20 metres in from touch, adds the extra. Panthers 18-0

35th min: NEWS - The Penrith side close to scoring on 2 more occasions, however the Rabbitohs defence is holding true

HALF TIME: A load of work done in defence by the Rabbitohs. They will do it hard heading to the wind in the second half. I get the feeling the Panthers are being patient. Panthers 18-0

HALF TIME STATS: Possession: Panthers 66% - Rabbitohs 34% Penalties: Panthers 6 - Rabbitohs 2 Completions: Panthers 21/25 - Rabbitohs 14/16 Offloads: Panthers 12 - Rabbitohs 2 Missed tackles: Panthers 6 - Rabbitohs 17 Errors: Panthers 4 - Rabbitohs 2

Second half underway..

44th min: NEWS - The Panthers have come out from the break will guns a'blazing. Three times close to scoring, the Souths defence just allowing Lewis into the corner. Girdler misses the conversion from the sideline. Panthers 22-0.

47th min: NEWS - Galuvao (Panthers) on the sideline with a hip/leg injury. Minichiello (Rabbitohs) on report for a head shot on Campbell, the video ref making the call. Panthers 22-0

48th min: NEWS - Campbell (Panthers) losing the ball over the try line following the penalty awarded for the high shot

52nd min: Priddis for Panthers. Backing up from rep footy on Friday night, the Rabbitohs defence could not stop him ducking under close to the line. Girdler converts from almost in front. Panthers 28-0

58th min: TRY - Skinnon for Rabbitohs. Good work by the Rabbitohs to get the ball down the field. A penalty close to their line, Skinnon takes the tap and dives under the defence to score. Hanbury misses the conversion. Panthers 28-4

60th min: NEWS - A mistake by Hanbury (Rabbitohs) at the restart, and the Panthers have a line drop out. The return attack almost has Pritchard scoring. The video ref says double movement. Panthers 28-4

62nd min: Harrison (Rabbitohs) down in back play following a head clash with his fullback and has a sore jaw but is playing on

65th min: TRY - Girdler for Panthers. A line drop out to the Panthers sets up Girdler well for his 100th try in his career. The conversion goes wide. Panthers 32-4

67th min: NO TRY - Panthers. Campbell puts a high kick up to the posts. Watts bombs the catch for the Rabbitohs, and the Panthers with quick hands has Rodney over the line. The video ref has Priddis offside from the kick, penalty to the Rabbitohs. Panthers 32-4

75th min: TRY - Gower for Panthers. From the scrum Gower hits through the defence and runs 55 metres to score. Girdler from out in front adds 2 points. Panthers 38-4

FULL TIME: A great effort by the Rabbitohs who never gave up. Unfortunately for them, the Penrith side were on song today. Final score, 38-4 to Penrith

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - P Campbell (Panthers) 2 - C Gower (Panthers) 1 - L Priddis (Panthers) -----------------------------------------