Pacing Panthers Beat Knights

The Penrith Panthers have scored a convincing win over the Newcastle Knights 28-10 at CUA Stadium in their Round 13 encounter. Past all of the errors in the game, both sides took the chance with some good running.

Without big name forwards Frank Pritchard and Petero Civinoceva, Penrith were odds on to struggle in the encounter and did so early as the Knights put on a number of attacking raids in the first few minutes. After the raid though, Knights winger James McManus (who was returning from injury in his first game of the year) had a shocking few moments.

After spilling the ball near his own line, McManus failed to ground a Luke Walsh grubber, Gavin Cooper scoring the first try of the match. The Panthers onslaught continued moments later when captain Luke Lewis broke a weak defensive line to set Brad Tighe up for the Panthers' second try. All of a sudden it was 12-0.

The Panthers then showed off their defensive capabilities. It was lead by centre Michael Jennings, who managed to have an amazing night in both attack and defence. Jennings well and truly put his hand up for Origin. Before you knew it, Jennings added the third try for Penrith and they were running wild, the score at 18-0.

The Panthers were unlucky to go to the half-time break with a bigger lead. Adrian Purtell bombed a try with a forward pass near the line before a video referee decision ruled out a possible try in a different play.

Never the less, the Knights might have copped a spray from their coach at the break before coming out in the second half extremely strong. Richard Fa'aoso broke through the line on several occasions, his first break setting tryscoring machine Akuila Uate to the line. A crucial goalkicking miss from Kurt Gidley set the score to 18-4.

From there, the game turned into a mistake-fest. Both sides guilty of dropping the ball on numerous occasions, at different places on the field.

Akuila Uate had the best chance with a break before Michael Jennings cleaned him up, continuing a great performance. A knock on over the line cost Penrith a chance at going further ahead moments later.

Adam MacDougall set the Newcastle fans wild with a great run, setting up James McManus for the Knights second try. The score 18-10, the Knights were right back in it.

The Knights were then denied by the video referee (who gave two tries and denied three tries throughout the night) thanks to a forward pass before an odd penalty. From there the Panthers put on a raid. Right after James McManus ended it, Wes Naiqama dropped the play-the-ball on his first touch of the night. From there the Panthers sealed the two points with James McManus slipping under a cut-out ball to Brad Tighe, who scored his second try of the night.

The Knights tried desperately to score near the end but it was the Panthers who had the last laugh, Luke Walsh setting up Lachlan Coote in the final play of the night.

The Panthers will have even more injury concerns with Wade Graham and Travis Burns both leaving the field early.

In Toyota Cup news, the Panthers scored a massive 64-32 victory over the Knights, after trailing 26-6 near the end of the first half.

Match Details
Penrith Panthers 28 defeated Newcastle Knights 10
National Rugby League - NRL - Round 13 - Saturday June 5, 2010 5:30pm
Venue: CUA Stadium
Referee: Jason Robinson and Brett Suttor
Video Referee: Russell Smith
Touch Judges: Luke Potter and Adam Reid
Crowd: 10969
Halftime: Penrith Panthers 18 Newcastle Knights 0

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Michael Jennings (1 Try)
2 Points - Luke Lewis
1 Point - Michael Gordon (4 Conversions)

PENRITH PANTHERS (28)
Tries: Brad Tighe (2), Michael Jennings, Lachlan Coote, Gavin Cooper
Conversions: Michael Gordon (4/5)

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (10)
Tries: James McManus, Akuila Uate
Conversions: Kurt Gidley (1/2)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to CUA Stadium for this match. It looks like one that will be difficult to tip.
TOYOTA CUP FULL TIME - Panthers come away with a 64-32 win over the Knights after trailing 26-6 near the end of the first half.
The two sides coming out, we'll be under way soon.
2 min: So far, a safe start from both teams.
4 min: Following a penalty, Newcastle are well on attack.
5 min: It almost looked like a line drop-out, but Junior Sa'u is penalised for a push in the back.
6 min: Gavin Cooper loses the ball near the halfway line.
9 min: Still no score, a few good sets from both sets.
11 min: Luke Lewis smashes a returning James McManus, Penrith with a massive chance.
12 min: TRY
James McManus having a shocker, failing to ground a grubber kick from Luke Walsh, the home side scoring first through Gavin Cooper.
Penrith Panthers 6-0
18 min: TRY
It's all Penrith at the moment. A great break from skipper Luke Lewis, who set it up for Brad Tighe to score.
Penrith Panthers 12-0
22 min: The Panthers aiming up in defence as well as attack. An average set from the Knights there.
27 min: Another great set of defence from Penrith, particularly Michael Jennings.
29 min: Possible try to Penrith Panthers...
29 min: TRY
It's a try, Michael Jennings continues an amazing first half with a try. Hopefully the Origin selectors are watching here.
Penrith Panthers 18-0
32 min: Before you know it, Penrith are right back in Newcastle territory.
32 min: A dropped ball, so the Knights are off the hook a bit.
35 min: Purtell blows a certain Penrith try with a forward pass.
35 min: Possible try to Penrith Panthers...
35 min: No try.
37 min: Lachlan Coote continues a great half with a pressure-filled take.
40 min: Coote doesn't take this one and they have a major chance...and send it straight to Jennings.
40 min: Sloppy last play, but no score. So that's the break, Penrith leading Newcastle 18-0.
40 min: Second half underway.
41 min: Possible try to Newcastle Knights...
41 min: TRY
What a start to the second half to the Knights, sort of deja vu (if you remember the last match). Great break by Fa'aoso to set it up.
Penrith Panthers 18-4
44 min: Travis Burns and Wade Graham both injured, Penrith doing it tough.
49 min: Luke Lewis with a bit of a blow-up, warned by the ref.
51 min: The two teams evening up for the second half, still a 14 point difference.
52 min: Could be more now...Penrith 30 out.
53 min: Another knock-on.
56 min: Uate is set to score, but Jennings continues an amazing game in defence with a try saver!
58 min: Possible try to Penrith Panthers...
59 min: No try, knock on.
60 min: The Knights attack dies out once more, this time it's a forward pass.
62 min: TRY
Adam MacDougall does well on the wing to send James McManus over, who stepped on his way to the line. Newcastle, dead or not?
Penrith Panthers 18-10
64 min: A penalty gives the Knights another shot.
64 min: De Gois over??? No! Held up! Ever so close!
65 min: Possible try to Newcastle Knights...
65 min: No try! 2/5 green lights from the video referee tonight, a busy night.
66 min: Luke Lewis is down. A strange penalty to Penrith here, but it will be two points.
66 min: Sorry, taking the tap.
68 min: McManus takes the bomb to end a Penrith raid, and Wes Naiqama stuffs a play-the-ball. Well, here comes the Panthers again, they can put the Knights to sleep here.
69 min: TRY
That could be it. James McManus slips over whilst a cut-out pass is being thrown and Tighe puts it on. Gordon's kick hits the post, there is a bit of hope for the Knights.
Penrith Panthers 22-10
71 min: Knights with the ball near the line spill it again. A 50/50 call there it seems, Knights could feel ripped from that call.
73 min: Naiqama having a shocker from the bench. I think he might have dropped the ball every time he's touched it. An ordinary second half, plenty of dropped ball.
76 min: Knights with a chance, but another dropped ball should see the Panthers come away with the two points.
79 min: TRY
Luke Walsh through, steps Naiqama, and Lachlan Coote is over.
Penrith Panthers 28-10
80 min: Full time, an easy win for Penrith.