Jennings takes three at Toyota Park

Penrith Panthers laid on a solid performance this afternoon at Toyota Park to soundly defeat the Cronulla Sharks in front of a crowd close to 11,000.

First points in the game went the home side's way with an early penalty.

However 2 tries a-piece to Elford and Jennings before halftime made things pretty tough for the Sharks to contest. The half time score of 22-8 certainly a steep hill to climb for the home side.

Early in the second half Jennings notched up his third try of the match. With a solid performance by Jennings, his representative selection more than likely on the cards. Luke Lewis also putting his hand up for rep duties with committed game both on attack and defence.

The Sharks hit back almost straight away with Barrett and Ferguson combining well for Collis to score under the posts, but not enough to come close to threaten the Penrith side.

A late try to the Panthers the only other points in the half, and sealing a solid victory for the Panthers.

Match Details
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 14 were defeated by Penrith Panthers 34
National Rugby League - NRL - Round 10 - Sunday May 16, 2010 3:00pm
Venue: Toyota Stadium
Referee: Jason Robinson and Brett Suttor
Video Referee: Paul Simpkins
Touch Judges: Russell Turner and Gavin Morris
Crowd: 10352
Halftime: Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 22 Penrith Panthers 8

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Luke Lewis
2 Points - Michael Jennings (3 Tries)
1 Point - Shane Elford (2 Tries)

Cronulla Sutherland Sharks (14)
Tries: Dean Collis, Nathan Gardner
Conversions: Tim Smith (2/2)
Penalty Goals: Tim Smith (1/1)

Penrith Panthers (34)
Tries: Michael Jennings (3), Masada Iosefa, Shane Elford (2)
Conversions: Michael Gordon (5/6)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Both sides coming off the bye following losses a week earlier. Tupou on the bench for the Sharks, Pritchard out for the Panthers. Gardner at fullback for the Shark on debut
1 min: Sharks kick off at Toyota Park, in bright sunshine.
2 min: First penalty of the match to the home side. Back to back penalties with a kick to come.
3 min: PENALTY GOAL
Two early penalties hurting the Panthers, the 2nd for a strip resulting in the 2 points.
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 2-0
5 min: A bit of a scuffle between Ferguson and Walsh. Panthers penalised for getting Ferguson into a dangerous position.
7 min: TRY
Elford runs 90 metres to score the try following an intercept. A loopy pass and the Sharks pay dearly.
Penrith Panthers 6-2
10 min: Knock on by the Panthers has the scrum 40 metres out from the Sharks line.
11 min: TRY
Soft defence and a great pass by Smith, and Gardner scores a superb try on debut.
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 8-6
13 min: 40/20 - Sharks, Barrett does well.
17 min: Solid defence by the Sharks as the Panthers pile on the attack. Millington halts play after being hit hard. Is up but a bit slow for now.
20 min: First penalty of the match for the Panthers as they start their attack from halfway.
21 min: TRY
Back to back penalties allows the Panthers a great scoring opportunity. Coote chips thru a kick with Jennings flying past Millington to pounce on the ball and score.
Penrith Panthers 12-8
23 min: The Sharks gaining 71 metres on attack only to be let down by a cross field kick brilliantly scooped up by Gordon for the Panthers.
28 min: A bit more niggle in the game with a bit of jersey pulling, nothing more. The Sharks intent on taking each other out, with Tupou a bit wobbly following a clash with his team mate Cuthbertson.
29 min: TRY
The chase thru by Coote from a high kick is amazing as he gets the ball quickly to Purtell, then onto Elford who scores his 2nd try of the afternoon. Gordon's kick hits the post and bounces away.
Penrith Panthers 16-8
34 min: TRY
Jennings nabs his 2nd try as well. Coote seemingly loses the ball forward on the last tackle. Jennings was there to pick up the scrappy ball and the try is awarded. The Sharks supporters voicing their displeasure.
Penrith Panthers 22-8
39 min: The Sharks looking good on attack with back to back sets, but a mistake on the 3rd tackle halts the momentum just before the break.
40 min: HALF TIME: The Panthers have settled into the game well and looking the best side in the first 40 minutes. Walsh and Coote stand outs for the Chocolate soldiers.
41 min: The Panthers get the 2nd half underway. Tupou is outside on the Sharks bench.
42 min: The Panthers have a good attacking chance with a scrum 15 metres out from their line, but Walsh knocks on at the scrum.
43 min: 40/20 - Panthers. Great kick by Coote as Ferguson is left sprawled on the ground.
45 min: TRY
One on one with Smith from the scrum and Jennings makes it look easy as he scores a hat-trick.
Penrith Panthers 28-8
48 min: TRY
Barrett throws a beaut pass to Ferguson who taunts the sideline and passes the ball to a flying Collis who scores under the posts.
Penrith Panthers 28-14
53 min: LINE DROPOUT - Panthers. End to end stuff resulting in a goal line kick for the visitors.
54 min: Scrum to the Sharks under their posts as the Panthers knock on on the 4th tackle.
55 min: Sharks on attack following a relieving penalty, 20 metres out from their line.
56 min: GOAL LINE DROPOUT - Sharks. Great pressure by the Sharks resulting in another set.
57 min: NO TRY - Sharks. Barrett close to scoring on the 4th tackle but made to play the ball. Vave bursts over the line, the video ref throws it back to Robinson who says no try, held up.
60 min: Back to back relieving penalties and the Sharks are on attack at the halfway mark, a bit flat on attack at present.
63 min: Tough call on Gallen for a held tackle gives the Panthers a good chance 30 metres out from their line. Lewis leaves the field, seems to be cramp.
64 min: Gardner with cramp under the Panthers post.
67 min: Penalty count favouring the home side by 8=2.
68 min: Purtell tries for an intercept giving the Sharks another chance 30 metres out from their line. An error on the first tackle, and hands are thrown in the air.
70 min: Isaac Gordon looking like he fumbled the ball in goal heads up the field and is awarded a penalty for a high shot. The Sharks attack once again from halfway with a mistake on the 1st tackle.
74 min: Penalty to the Panther 10 metres out from their line. A knock on and the attack dies.
77 min: 2 tap penalties to the Panthers 15 metres out from their line.
78 min: LINE DROPOUT - Panthers. Nice chip in goal and the Panthers have another attacking set.
79 min: TRY
The tiring Sharks defence finally had to crack as Iosefa ducks over the line from dummy half on the fifth tackle.
Penrith Panthers 34-14
80 min: FULLTIME: Solid performance by the Panthers to comfortably win the game at Toyota Park. The Shark at times showing they can be dangerous on attack but not enough to threaten the visiting Panthers today.