Panthers down Roosters despite send-off

It was never easy but the Penrith Panthers have continued their quest to avoid the wooden spoon by defeating the Sydney Roosters 28-16 at Centrebet Stadium this afternoon in front of 9,646 fans.

Penrith started strongly, overcoming an error-prone Roosters side early to lead 6-0 after fourteen minutes. The Roosters levelled scores soon after but it was the Panthers who took the advantage into the break, Matt Robinson scoring off a Lachlan Coote line break to put his side 10-6 up at oranges.

The second half bought more action, the Panthers soon racing to a comfortable lead in the first part of the next forty. At 22-6 in front things looked dire for the Roosters, no doubt still hurting from last Monday's last-ditch loss to the Rabbitohs.

A Boyd Cordner try saw the momentum swing to the Roosters briefly, but the Panthers put the game away to lead 28-12 through Brad Tighe with 13 remaining.

The game then changed dramatically - a fired-up Travis Burns took Martin Kennedy high with a swinging arm, resulting in the #6 being sent from the field.

The send-off seemed to spurn the Roosters on, a try to Minichiello bringing the margin back to twelve, but there was far too little time left and ultimately Penrith would hold on with a 28-16 scoreline to jump two points clear of the Eels at the foot of the ladder.

Next week the Roosters host the Titans on Friday night at Allianz Stadium, while the Panthers head to Toyota Stadium on Saturday night.

Match Details
Penrith Panthers 28 defeated Sydney Roosters 16
National Rugby League - Round 20 - Sunday July 22, 2012 3:00pm
Venue: Centrebet Stadium, Penrith
Referee: Ashley Klein and Gavin Reynolds
Video Referee: Paul Mellor
Touch Judges: Ricky MacFarlane and Gavin West
Crowd: 9,646
Halftime: Penrith Panthers 10 Sydney Roosters 6

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Luke Walsh (4 Conversions)
2 Points - Brad Tighe (2 Tries)
1 Point - Boyd Cordner (1 Try)

PENRITH PANTHERS (28)
Tries: Brad Tighe (2), David Simmons, Michael Jennings, Matt Robinson
Conversions: Luke Walsh (4/5)

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (16)
Tries: Anthony Minichiello, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Boyd Cordner
Conversions: Braith Anasta (2/3)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Centrebet Stadium is the venue for this clash - important for both teams but moreso Penrith, who will need to work hard to avoid the wooden spoon given the Eels win over Melbourne last night.

Changes are in - for Penrith Luke Lewis is OUT with a neck strain, Nigel Plum replaces him at lock. Five-eighth Travis Burns drops back to the bench, with Etu Uaisele being named in jersey #22 in his place. Dayne Weston drops off the bench meaning Achurch will remain on the interchange.

For the Roosters Tautau Moga is OUT. Adam Henry comes in on the wing, while Lama Tasi drops off the five-man bench.
Toyota Cup has finished with a late flurry of tries - after being up 20-16 with ten remaining, the Panthers have scored three tries and conceded a consolation as well to finish 38-20 winners.
We're underway. Penrith in black, Roosters in mostly white jersey with blue and red vees.
1 min: Early penalty for Penrith - interference in the ruck by the Roosters.
3 min: Braith Anasta launches a massive bomb on the last and Josh Mansour spills it. Roosters scrum 15m out.
5 min: Roosters get six again following a kick rebound, but two tackles into the new set Jared Waerea-Hargreaves spills it. Panthers scrum.
10 min: Brad Tighe comes within inches of scoring but loses it over the line. Error count 3-1 against the Panthers.
12 min: Mitchell Pearce tries getting an early kick away but it's hit a Panther and they have it inside the Roosters' 40!
14 min: TRY
TRY Penrith Panthers
Scored by Brad Tighe. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh successful.
Luke Walsh with a neat grubber through the line, Tighe pounces. Try time for Penrith - Walsh converts the try he set up.
Penrith Panthers 6-0
15 min: Penrith spill it from the kickoff... then the Roosters do the same a tackle later.
17 min: The Roosters look likely again, BJ Leilua is over in the corner but he's knocked out of the field of play before he could get it down.
19 min: Penrith get a penalty but a couple of tackles later it's another error. Not a great game for purists so far.
22 min: Roosters take the ball on the full in goal, then Penrith are penalised moments later for offside - the Roosters' first penalty of the match.
24 min: Penrith get a 20m restart after the Roosters' last tackle grubber goes dead, just before Coote was forced to play at it with Minichiello bearing down on him.
25 min: Penalties evening out now, another one for the Roosters sees them start a set on halfway. Travis Burns getting ready to come on.
26 min: The ensuing set sees a poor grubber with too much weight go dead untouched.
28 min: ON REPORT - a couple of Panthers have executed a chicken wing tackle on Roosters big-man Mose Masoe. Penalty Roosters.
31 min: Adam Henry crosses for what looks like a try, but it's a forward pass call from the referee. Tough call.
34 min: Roosters force a dropout from the Panthers
36 min: Video Referee called upon for a possible Kenny-Dowall try. Looks the goods.
38 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Shaun Kenny-Dowall. Conversion attempt by Braith Anasta successful.
Shaun Kenny-Dowall turns and spins over the line to get the Roosters on the board. Anasta levels scores with the conversion.
6 all
39 min: TRY
TRY Penrith Panthers
Scored by Matt Robinson. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh unsuccessful.
Back to back penalties push the Panthers into a great position and Lachlan Coote finds his way through - puts it out wide for Matt Robinson and it's try time! Walsh misses the conversion.
Penrith Panthers 10-6
40 min: Halftime in a relatively even contest, Penrith in front with that try on halftime. Plenty of errors and penalties - whoever cleans up their act in the second half will come out on top.
Back underway at Centrebet, Penrith first possession.
43 min: Errors from both halfbacks punctuate the opening exchanges of the half.
46 min: Penrith force the line dropout, Roosters under plenty of pressure here.
49 min: TRY
TRY Penrith Panthers
Scored by David Simmons. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh successful.
Quick hands send the ball to the right and David Simmons scores unmarked in the corner. Luke Walsh fades it back and it's a great conversion. Ten the difference now.
Penrith Panthers 16-6
50 min: Penrith force a line drop out.
51 min: Roosters with a short dropout AND they get the ball! Creative stuff....oh dear. Dropped on tackle two.
53 min: Penrith with a break through Jennings, he finds a player inside him but the ball is on the deck now, Roosters scrum.
54 min: TRY
TRY Penrith Panthers
Scored by Michael Jennings. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh successful.
Penrith showing some dominance now, Jennings into the clear and he won't be stopped! Walsh adds two more and suddenly the Panthers are in control.
Penrith Panthers 22-6
56 min: Short kickoff from Anasta is somewhat successful, forcing a Panthers error.
57 min: Roosters penalty... and another penalty. And now FISTICUFFS!
60 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Boyd Cordner. Conversion attempt by Braith Anasta successful.
Back-to-back penalties eventually toll for Penrith, the Roosters are in via a strong effort from Boyd Cordner close to the line. Anasta converts.
Penrith Panthers 22-12
63 min: Consecutive penalties in possession, the first against the Roosters for captain Anasta running a clear shepherd, then against Penrith for an incorrect play-the-ball by captain Kevin Kingston.
64 min: It's all happening here, night has practically fallen with the light level minimal, rain has started and Luke Walsh has taken an intercept mid-field. Penrith now attacking.
67 min: TRY
TRY Penrith Panthers
Scored by Brad Tighe. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh successful.
Brad Tighe grabs his second as the Panthers convert their field position and possession into valuable points, just as the Roosters were looking dangerous. Walsh converts.
Penrith Panthers 28-12
70 min: Another short kickoff from the Roosters and again they have possession. 4th tackle penalty to the Roosters now as well. They've gotta score here to be any hope.
70 min: SENT OFF
Travis Burns is sent off the field.
Travis Burns becomes the second player in the NRL this season to be sent off. Burns has hit Kennedy clearly and deliberately high.
72 min: Rain absolutely TEEMING now, Roosters force a line drop out.
75 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Anthony Minichiello. Conversion attempt by Braith Anasta unsuccessful.
The space created by Burns' send-off sees the Roosters cross out wide. There's still time but they'll have to be VERY quick. Anasta misses the conversion.
Penrith Panthers 28-16
77 min: Roosters lose it approaching the Panthers line, Penrith scrum.
79 min: Roosters looking good out wide but then it's come up with the Panthers! They're away! Dragged down 10m out.
79 min: Uaisele crossed in the corner but it's no good, he's in touch.
Game over - Penrith have held on in the rain to win 28-16.