Panthers dispose of Rabbitohs with
ease

Round 6 Rabbitohs 6 v Panthers 36

Match summary:

The Penrith Panthers have run out convincing 36-6 winners over the South Sydney Rabbitohs this evening at Aussie Stadium.

After an intense early start from both sides, Penrith took the lead and continued to pile on the points, taking a 24-0 lead into halftime. Souths certainly had their chances but poor execution and mistakes and crucial times cost them any chance of getting back into the match. To put it simply, they did not think they could win the game and they played like a beaten team once the Panthers skipped away to a 12-0 lead.

The second half became a mistake-a-thon with both sides not showing any ball security late in the game but as the result was beyond doubt, neither team had much to play for and their minds were certainly not on the job.

Trent Waterhouse had a mighty game for the Panthers, making several try saving tackles while in the backs, Danny Galea and Rhys Wesser were the standouts on a night where most of the team put in an excellent performance

Souths were very disappointing although they were hard done by on several occasions by referee Tony Archer and they never recovered against a Panthers side looking for back to back wins for the first time in 2005.

Penrith look to be hitting a purple patch and while Tony Puletua and Joe Gulavao were out injured, Frank Pritchard stepped up to the plate to give the Panthers the thrust and momentum they have come to expect from the powerhouse back rowers over the years.

For Souths, it?s back to the drawing board as they try to find the answers to what went wrong tonight and prepare for another week in the NRL.

Scorers: RABBITOHS 6 Tries: Hegarty Goals: Williams 1/1

defeated by

PANTHERS 36 Tries: Galea, Rooney, McLean x 2, Lewis, Wesser Goals: Campbell 6/6

Aussie Stadium Referee: Tony Archer

By the clock: 1st min: Kickoff! We are underway at Aussie Stadium this evening.

7th min: Adam Macdougall smashes Trent Waterhouse to give the Rabbitohs back possession. The Rabbitohs mean business this evening. Very strong start to the game.

12th min: TRY - Panthers. Danny Galea crosses out wide but the leadup came off a Preston Campbell knock on which was not called and a penalty against Souths for an incorrect play the ball preceded the knock on. Souths have every right to feel hard done by. Conversion successful. Panthers 6-0.

15th min: TRY - Panthers. Luke Rooney scores under the black dot as the Panthers go the length of the field from the kick off. Conversion successful. Panthers 12-0.

25th min: No change in the score as the Bunnies blow some scoring opportunities through silly mistakes. They are still very much in the game though.

30th min: Souths have been on the receiving end of some shocking calls. I have the count at four in favour of the Panthers. Tony Archer, you are not a first grade referee. Still no change in the score.

35th min: TRY - Panthers. David McLean scores as Souths defence decides to go south for the winter. A crucial blow to the Bunnies just out from half time. Conversion successful. Panthers 18-0.

40th min: TRY - Panthers. Chip n' chase from Shys Wesser hands Luke Lewis an easy four pointer soon to become six. Conversion successful. Panthers 24-0.

41st min: We are underway in the second half and the only question is, can the Panthers hit fifty tonight? The smart money says they can.

53rd min: Penrith repel a sustained but predictable attack from the Bunnies, who persist with the inside ball and poor last tackle options. No change in the score.

60th min: Souths have well and truly imploded with brain explosions the order of the day. They have shown no signs of creativity or leadership in the second half. A truly terrible performance.

61st min: TRY - Souths. Shannon Hegarty runs from dummy half and no Panthers palyer is interested in tackling him. Conversion successful. Panthers 24-6.

65th min: TRY - Panthers. Danny Galea gets a double as he swooped on a mistimed Rabbitohs pass to race 60 metres and give himself a double. Conversion successful. Panthers 30-6.

77th min: TRY - Panthers. Rhys Wesser gets try number 7 for the year as he runs around the Bunnies inept defence and then fifty metres down field to score. Conversion successful. Panthers 36-6.

FULL TIME: Ordinary performance from the bunnies after their impressive win over the Knights last weekend. Penrith were too good in the ned, showing how professional they are and when it mattered most, they had too much class. ----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - T Waterhouse (Panthers) 2 - D Galea (Panthers) 1 - R Wesser (Panthers) -----------------------------------------