Lukes Lead Pink Panthers To Victory

The Penrith Panthers have defeated an ill-disciplined North Queensland Cowboys outfit 30 - 20 in front of 14,090 fans at McGrath Foundation Stadium this afternoon.

The two teams went try for try for most of the game with goal kicking and indiscipline costing the Cowboys the two points. Luke Lewis and Luke Walsh were outstanding for the home side, both putting in man of the match deserving performances.

The scoring was underway early with Gavin Cooper powering over against his former club. A nice ball from Aaron Payne found Cooper running a great line and he managed to find his way over the line despite the attention of two Penrith defenders. There were some question marks on a possible obstruction from Dallas Johnson, but the video referee gave it the green light. Johnathan Thurston failed to add the extras and the score remained 4-0.

The Panthers hit back at the 15 minute mark through the unusual figure of Petero Civoniceva. Big Petero ran hard at the line before putting in a great left foot step to evade a defender and strolled over under the posts. A little smile from Petero, a conversion from Travis Burns and the Panthers found themselves in front.

Some individual magic from James Segeyaro gave the Cowboys back the lead in the 30th minute. After a quick play the ball Segeyaro was somehow able to reach out and plant the ball on the line for a try. Thurston added the extras and the Cowboys lead by 2.

It took just 2 minutes for Penrith to hit back. Although not credited with the try, Luke Lewis got the 4 points. After stepping past Thurston and Cooper, Lewis popped a great offload to Lachlan Coote who raced over to score a try. Travis Burns added the extras and Penrith took the 14-10 lead into halftime.

Penrith extended their lead 3 minutes into the second half with a penalty goal to Travis Burns, his second for the afternoon. James Tamou was pulled up for holding down too long in his tackle and gifted Penrith an extra 2 points.

Determined not to give up North Queensland narrowed the lead to 2 points after Gavin Cooper was able to score his second try for the afternoon. A fortunate bounce for the Cowboys meant that Adrian Purtell was unable to field a kick from Matt Bowen and after a scramble in goal Cooper picked up the ball and scored in the corner. Thurston's conversion attempt hit the post and the score remained 16-14.

The two Luke's combined to restore the Panthers 8 point lead at the 57th minute mark. Luke Walsh scrambled across the field and put Luke Lewis into a hole. Lewis made no mistake from short range and slammed the ball down with a massive smile on his face. Travis Burns again added the extras from out wide.

The Cowboys managed to narrow the lead once more in the 60th minute in very similar circumstances to their previous try. Another kick to Purtell's wing was fumbled and fell into the arms of an unmarked Ben Jones, who won't score an easier try in his life. Thurston made no mistake with the conversion this time and the Cowboys were behind by 2 one more.

Error after error from the Cowboys meant that they could never get back in front and a soft try from Sam McKendry with 6 minutes to go sealed their fate. Some very poor marker defense from North Queensland allowed McKendry to pick up the ball from dummy half and just barge his way over next to the posts. Burns maintained his perfect record and Penrith looked to run out 8 point victors.

More indiscipline from the Cowboys cost them another 2 points right on full time as Travis Burns kicked another penalty goal from 35 meters out. Penrith winning 30 - 20.

The Cowboys were fortunate in the end to only lose by 10 points. After a couple of lucky tries and a copious number of errors it could have been much worse for the team from North Queensland. Taking nothing away from Penrith -- they were clinical this afternoon.

Next week Penrith will play host to the Canterbury Bulldogs on Saturday night while the Cowboys will get the chance to reflect on today's performance with the bye.

Match Details
Penrith Panthers 30 defeated North Queensland Cowboys 20
National Rugby League - Round 16 (Women in League Round) - Sunday June 26, 2011 2:00pm
Venue: McGrath Foundation Stadium Penrith
Referee: Ashley Klein and Phil Haines
Video Referee: Bernard Sutton
Touch Judges: Adam Reid and Gavin Reynolds
Crowd: 14,090
Halftime: Penrith Panthers 14 North Queensland Cowboys 10

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Luke Lewis (1 Try)
2 Points - Luke Walsh
1 Point - Trent Waterhouse

Penrith Panthers (30)
Tries: Petero Civoniceva, Luke Lewis, Sam McKendry, Lachlan Coote
Conversions: Travis Burns (4/4)
Penalty Goals: Travis Burns (3/3)

North Queensland Cowboys (20)
Tries: Ben Jones, Gavin Cooper (2), James Segeyaro
Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (2/4)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Good afternoon and welcome to today's clash between the Penrith Panthers and the North Queensland Cowboys.

It's Women in League round this weekend and Centrebet have generously donated their stadium to the cause -- today we're at McGrath Foundation Stadium.
Will Tupou will start the game in the centers for the Cowboys with Gavin Cooper reverting back to his preferred back row position after the suspension of Tariq Sims. Leeson Ah Mau has been elevated to the starting line up with James Tamou to come off the bench.

Panthers are 1-17 as named on Tuesday.
North Queensland ran away with today's NYC clash - winning 46-10.
Teams are on the field. We're ready for kick off.
1 min: Cowboys kick off and we're underway!
1 min: Solid first set from the Panthers. The battle between Matt Scott and Petero Civoniceva should be a beauty.
3 min: Penrith get six more close to the Cowboys line after a strip goes wrong.
3 min: First penalty of the game goes to the Cowboys after Gavin Cooper gets stripped of the ball with 2 in the tackle.
5 min: Checking a try to the Cowboys.
5 min: TRY
Gavin Cooper runs on to a great ball from Aaron Payne and powers over the line despite the attention of two Panther defenders. Some question marks on a possible obstruction from Dallas Johnson but the video referee saw nothing in it.

Thurston misses the conversion and it remains 4-0 to the Cowboys.
North Queensland Cowboys 4-0
7 min: Nathan Smith is playing in the centers for Penrith now. Junior Vai Vai has left the field with an injury.
9 min: Penrith are penalised in possession for passing off the ground. Silly error there from Sam McKendry.
10 min: Thurston gets hammered twice in the same set. Penrith are really targeting him.
12 min: Faifai-Loa knocks on trying to contest a Thurston bomb. 20m tap for the Panthers.
13 min: Aaron Payne is penalised for holding on too long in the tackle. Penrith on the attack.
14 min: TRY
Big Petero Civoniceva gets himself a rare 4 pointer. Running hard at the line Petero put in a left foot step and went straight through the Cowboys line to score under the posts.
Penrith Panthers 6-4
17 min: Cowboys get a penalty in their own half. Luke Lewis was too slow to get off the tackled player.
18 min: Glenn Hall drops a short ball from Matt Bowen. He may have scored there.
19 min: Some enterprising play from Penrith's right hand side results in a dropped ball. Cowboys defense really being tested down that side.
21 min: Purtell intercepts a pass from Matt Bowen. Bit of an ordinary pass there.
22 min: Penrith give away another penalty in Cowboys' territory.
24 min: Checking a try to the Cowboys. Ashley Graham may have scored in the corner.
24 min: NO TRY! Graham had his foot on the sideline when he first received the pass from Matt Bowen.
25 min: Aaron Payne has gone up the tunnel. Possible shoulder or neck injury.
27 min: Panthers get a penalty deep inside Cowboys territory and have opted to take the 2.
27 min: PENALTY GOAL
Burns easily slots the penalty goal.
Penrith Panthers 8-4
28 min: Aaron Payne has a possible broken hand -- not a shoulder or neck injury as first reported.
29 min: Checking a try to the Cowboys. Segeyaro may have barged over from dummy half.
29 min: TRY
Segeyaro has Inspector Gadget arms. He somehow managed to reach out and plant the ball down with two defenders on him.
North Queensland Cowboys 10-8
31 min: Thurston is penalised for deliberately heading the ball forward. Wrong game, Johnathan.
33 min: TRY
Put this one down to Luke Lewis. After evading Thurston and Cooper Lewis was able to pop a great offload to Lachlan Coote who was able to dart over untouched.

Burns adds the extras.
Penrith Panthers 14-10
36 min: Simmons takes an intercept and charges down field before offloading to Coote, who can't get past Matt Bowen 1-on-1.
37 min: Penrith force a line drop out after trapping Ash Graham in goal.
38 min: Another drop out for Penrith. Plenty of pressure on the Cowboys just two minutes out from half time.
39 min: Coote loses the ball. Bad pass from his inside man.
40 min: Penrith try a kick from the scrum right on half time but the ball bounces into touch.

That's halftime at McGrath Foundation Stadium. Penrith lead 14 - 10.
41 min: Panthers kick off to start the second half.
41 min: Early error from the Cowboys. Gavin Cooper drops the ball attempting to play it. Good field position for the Panthers.
42 min: Drop out for Penrith. James Tamou watches the ball roll past him with Lachlan Coote flying. Fortunately for the Cowboys Segeyaro was there to clean up.
43 min: Penrith get a penalty and will take a shot at goal.
43 min: PENALTY GOAL
Burns slots the goal over from just left of the uprights.
Penrith Panthers 16-10
45 min: Great kick from Luke Walsh after points. Cowboys will start their set 10m out from their own line.
46 min: Dayne Weston gives away a penalty. Cowboys get another piggy back out of their own half.
47 min: David Simmons intercepts another pass from Matt Bowen.
50 min: Back and forth at the moment.
50 min: Checking a try to the Cowboys. Gavin Cooper may have his second.
50 min: TRY
Cooper has his second for the afternoon. A kick from Bowen looks to be easily covered by Purtell until it took a wicked bounce and found it's way out to Gavin Cooper, who scored in the corner.

Thurston's conversion hits the upright and is unsuccessful.
Penrith Panthers 16-14
53 min: Cowboys pulled up for a messy play the ball. Bad error after points.
54 min: Petero nearly gets a double! Just dragged down before the line.
54 min: TRY
Luke Walsh finds Luke Lewis running at a hole and hits him on the chest. Lewis plants the ball down.

Burns adds the extras and it's back to an 8 point game.
Penrith Panthers 22-14
57 min: The Cowboys have made 15 errors so far this afternoon. They are probably very lucky to only be 8 behind.
59 min: Purtell does well to take a Thurston cross field kick but jumped from the field of play. Line drop out for the Cowboys.
60 min: TRY
Very similar to Cooper's try. Penrith fail to take the kick and Ben Jones gets the rebound and puts the ball down. Don't think he'll ever score an easier try.

Thurston made the required corrections from his last kick and made no mistake this time.
Penrith Panthers 22-20
63 min: Cowboys fail to get to their kick after points again.
64 min: Nathan Smith just dragged down before the line. Good defense from the Cowboys.
65 min: Thompson kicks for touch 10m out from the Panthers' line. Both teams look happy with the rest.
67 min: Thurston cleans up a desperate pass from the Panthers on the last.
69 min: Thurston saves the day again for the Cowboys. Great ball and all tackle on Luke Walsh saves a try.
70 min: Cowboys pulled up on a forward pass. Very bad call from the referees. Definitely went backwards.
71 min: Cowboys hold out Penrith.
72 min: Thurston opted to run the ball on the last and is caught by two Penrith defenders. Bad option there.
72 min: Penrith get a penalty for some extra work in the tackle.
74 min: TRY
Very soft try for Penrith. Sam McKendry picked up the ball from dummy half and just dived over. Cowboys markers were asleep there.

Burns maintains his perfect record for the afternoon and adds the extras.
Penrith Panthers 28-20
75 min: Cowboys get the ball on the back of a short kick off but lose the ball on the second tackle. Pretty much sums up the Cowboys performance today.
77 min: Cowboys manage to hold out Penrith on this occasion, but you have to think they will be back very soon.
78 min: I called it. Thurston loses the ball in a tackle. Panthers will attack the line again.
79 min: Purtell intercepts a pass from Gavin Cooper and passes it back to a Cowboy.
80 min: Cowboys penalised right on full time. Penrith will take another penalty goal.
80 min: PENALTY GOAL
Penalty goal successful.
Penrith Panthers 30-20
80 min: That's full time here at McGrath Foundation Stadium. Penrith have defeated North Queensland 30-20.