Phins fly past sluggish Eels
6 hours ago | Andy P
Panthers end Titans finals hopes
The Penrith Panthers have stunned the Gold Coast Titans with a 36-22 victory at Centrebet Stadium.
It was a must win game for the Titans as a victory would ensure they enter the NRL top 8 ahead of the finals.
The visitors started the scoring off quickly in the first half with their first try after only three minutes. Matt Srama started the play which then saw the Titans spread it wide to David Mead who dived in the corner. Scott Prince with the conversion from the touchline nails it to make it a perfect start. Titans 6-0.
It was only minutes later that the Panthers fired back with the first of three tries posted by Brad Tighe. Man of the Match Luke Walsh supplied an inside ball for Tighe to sprint away and score. The Panthers locking the game up at 6-all with Walsh's conversion.
The back and forth affair continued as the Titans crossed mid first half through Scott Prince. Prince finished off the great run by Williams Zillman which cut down the defence. He converted to make it a six point game once again, Titans 12-6.
Brad Tighe claimed his second four-pointer as big man Clint Newtown provided the offload for Tighe to dart between defenders. Walsh perfect with the boot to lock the game up again to 12-all.
The Panthers had the final say of the first half as speedster Michael Jennings dived on Walsh's grubber kick beating three Titans' to the ball. At the break, the Panthers ahead by six, 18-12.
The Titans much like in the first half started the second quickly. William Zillman darted easily through the poor defence of the Panthers to step through for the Titans' third try. Prince pushed the conversion to the right. Panthers 18-16.
We have seen some spectacular tries scores thus far in 2012, and this afternoon the Panthers provided a contender for the best. Michael Jennings started the play with a classy 'no-look' pass to Josh Mansour on his left. Mansour then kicked ahead for Jennings who re-gathered and offloaded to Mansour to race away and score. The Panthers extend to 24-16 with the conversion of Luke Walsh.
The Panthers from the kick restart went back to back through Michael Jennings who scored after having a hand in the previous play. Luke Walsh was in the action to set up Matt Robinson who provided the support play for Jennings. Panthers well ahead to 30-16.
Truly against the run of play the Panthers went 75 metres to seal their victory with a four-pointer to David Simmons. Simmons cleaned up a short kick from Titan Aidan Sezer who streaked away to link up with Brad Tighe who claimed his first career hat trick. It was all the Panthers second half as the commanded a 36-16 lead.
Veteran Mark Minichiello had the final say of the match as he caught the tired Panthers defensive napping. Minichiello strolled through the defence to post the Titans fourth try.
Despite the Titans last ditch efforts, the Panthers stunned the visitors as the closed victors 36-22. With the lost this afternoon the Titans' finals hopes are dashed, meanwhile the Panthers take one step away from the bottom of the ladder.
Match Details
Penrith Panthers 36 defeated Gold Coast Titans 22
National Rugby League - Round 25 - Saturday August 25, 2012 3:30pm
Venue: Centrebet Stadium, Penrith
Referee: Gavin Badger and Steve Lyons
Video Referee: Pat Reynolds
Touch Judges: Ricky MacFarlane and David Abood
Crowd: 7,297
Halftime: Penrith Panthers 18 Gold Coast Titans 12
Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Luke Walsh (6 Conversions)
2 Points - Michael Jennings (2 Tries)
1 Point - Brad Tighe (3 Tries)
Penrith Panthers (36)
Tries: Brad Tighe (3), Michael Jennings (2), Josh Mansour
Conversions: Luke Walsh (6/6)
Gold Coast Titans (22)
Tries: Scott Prince, Mark Minichiello, William Zillman, David Mead
Conversions: Scott Prince (3/4)
LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of Super Saturday as we bring you the first of a triple header. First up LIVE from Centrebet Stadium is the Panthers hosting the Titans. If the Gold Coast manage a victory today they can jump into the NRL top 8 into seventh.
Today the Panthers only have the one change to their 18th man squad named on Tuesday with Travis Robinson dropping off the extended bench as he played NSW Cup.
Meanwhile for the Titans they have one positional change with Ben Ridge shifting to the bench with Mark Minichiello starting.
1 min: We are UNDERWAY at Centrebet Stadium with the Titans kicking off to give the Panthers first use of the ball.
2 min: Fast set from the Titans as they manage to get to the goal line in their set after a big run from Matt Srama. Chance for points with two plays left in the set
3 min: TRY
TRY Gold Coast Titans
Scored by David Mead. Conversion attempt by Scott Prince successful.
Following the run from Matt Srama, the Titans spread it wide to David Mead in the corner who dived in and smashed it down. Scott Prince with the conversion from the touchline nails it to make it a perfect start.
Gold Coast Titans 6-0
4 min: UNFORCED ERROR Gold Coast Titans
Luke Douglas failed to take the kick restart clean and the Panthers go on the attack on the zero tackle.
4 min: VIDEO REFEREE for Panthers, original call is held up but we are giving it over to the two video referees Pat Reynolds and Jason Robinson
4 min: NO TRY! Red lights show and the Panthers continue their set on the 2nd tackle.
5 min: Josh Mansour leapt high in the air looking to take the kick but ruled to have knocked on into the Titans before going over the sideline. The Titans get possession with the change over on the 10 metre line.
8 min: TRY
TRY Penrith Panthers
Scored by Brad Tighe. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh successful.
Luke Walsh threw the dummy and cut on his inside to a sprinting Brad Tighe to out sped the Titans chasers to plant it down under the sticks. Massive effort to go long range there for the Panthers. Luke Walsh with the conversion from in front locks the game at 6-all
6 all
14 min: Penalty to the Titans for a strip against Josh Mansour. They attack inside the Panthers 40 metre line.
15 min: UNFORCED ERROR Gold Coast Titans
Jamal Idris jumped through the line and reached out for the ball off the kick but bounced it without grounding it in goal. The Panthers come up with the on the 20 metre line.
16 min: Clint Newtown offloaded to Brad Tighe who busted the line and looked for the try line but was bundled into touch before he could. Titans come up with the ball through a scrum feed on their 30 metre line.
17 min: UNFORCED ERROR Gold Coast Titans
Matt Srama out of acting half attempted to get the quick pass away but the pass floated forward with the help of strong wind
18 min: VIDEO REFEREE for the Panthers, Kevin Kingston has cracked the line from acting half.
18 min: NO TRY! Kevin Kingston denied for walking off the mark and given obstruction against the ball player
21 min: TRY
TRY Gold Coast Titans
Scored by Scott Prince. Conversion attempt by Scott Prince successful.
William Zillman started the Titans on a running path as he cut the defence and scrambled them. Scott Prince showing off his touch footy skills as he dummied and split the defence to score. He converted his own try to make it a six point game again.
Gold Coast Titans 12-6
23 min: Penalty to the Panthers against Mark Minichiello for being inside the 10 metres at the ruck, offside the call. Panthers attacking now inside the Titans 20 metre line.
24 min: UNFORCED ERROR Penrith Panthers
Matt Robinson took the short pass from Luke Walsh as he darted into a gap but the Titans defence saw him cough up the ball. Titans escape without conceding points with a scrum feed on their 10 metre line.
30 min: David Mead leapt high in the air to tap the kick and quickly offloaded to Zillman on his inside. Matt Robinson did well to wrap him up otherwise he would of run the length of the field. Titan attacking inside their 30 metre line.
31 min: A mistake from the Titans hands over possession to the Panthers on their 40 metre line, they get the zero tackle to start their set.
33 min: TRY
TRY Penrith Panthers
Scored by Brad Tighe. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh successful.
Brad "Try" Tighe managed to take the offload from Clint Newtown and darted between defenders and found a gap to sprint away for his second try of the afternoon. Luke Walsh with the conversion attempt locked the game up once again.
12 all
34 min: Time off here with Dayne Weston down after being squashed by Jamal Idris and the Panthers earn a penalty for a dangerous tackle. The Panthers kick for touch and attack shy of the halfway line.
35 min: UNFORCED ERROR Penrith Panthers
Adam Docker makes an unforced error. Titans come up with the possession through a scrum feed on halfway
37 min: Penalty to the Panthers for Zillman holding down in the ruck too long. Penrith march up over halfway
39 min: TRY
TRY Penrith Panthers
Scored by Michael Jennings. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh successful.
Luke Walsh in the action here again with a grubber kick to the in goal area. Michael Jennings raced through to beat three Titans to the ball and planted it down for the Panthers 3rd try. Walsh kicked ahead to give the Panthers the lead by six.
Penrith Panthers 18-12
40 min: HALF TIME here at Centrebet Stadium sees the home side the Penrith Panthers ahead by 6 points as the lead the Titans 18-12.
41 min: We are back underway here at Centrebet Stadium with the Panthers kicking off as the lead the Titans 18-12
42 min: ZERO Tackle for the Titans as Greg Bird recollects the ball. Titans on the attack inside the Panthers 30 metre line.
43 min: Beau Falloon kicked on the last tackle for the Titans and the Panthers pushed up for Michael Jennings to dive on the ball. Panthers start their set on the 10 metre line.
45 min: Penalty to the Titans with Sam McKenndry placed on report for a high shot.
46 min: TRY
TRY Gold Coast Titans
Scored by William Zillman. Conversion attempt by Scott Prince unsuccessful.
William Zillman darts easily through the poor defence of the Panthers to step through for the Titans' third try. Scott Prince from out wide pushed it to the right and it's waived away
Penrith Panthers 18-16
48 min: UNFORCED ERROR Gold Coast Titans
Jamal Idris makes an unforced error and hands over possession on the last tackle for the Panthers on their 40 metre line.
50 min: Scott Prince was cleaned up by a swinging of Michael Jennings but no report is given and play on the call. Jennings lucky not to be penalised as it was ruled accidental.
55 min: The Panthers playing the flashy footy here with Josh Mansour firstly flying down the touchline. After all that, Michael Gordon is collected shy of the goal line by a swinging arm of Minichiello but no action taken.
60 min: TRY
TRY Penrith Panthers
Scored by Josh Mansour. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh successful.
The Panthers have scored a wonderful try as Michael Jennings and Josh Mansour have combined on the left hand side. Jennings started the play with a no look pass to Mansour, he took it and grubbered ahead for Jennings who then managed to offload back to Mansour who streaked away to scored. A great interchange of plays between the two players.
Penrith Panthers 24-16
64 min: TRY
TRY Penrith Panthers
Scored by Michael Jennings. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh successful.
Michael Jennings after having a hand in the previous play has claimed his own try thanks to an offload from Matt Robinson. Luke Walsh started the play by putting Robinson into the gap.
Penrith Panthers 30-16
65 min: UNFORCED ERROR Penrith Panthers
Kevin Kingston was able to take the ball from the kick restart as he dropped it in goal. The Titans with a chance through a goal line drop out.
67 min: Penalty to the Titans for a penalty against Luke Walsh for passing to an offside player. the Titans go on the attack inside the Panthers 30 metre zone.
68 min: The Panthers covering defence has been wonderful. Zillman thrown over the sideline before he could show off his step and speed. Scrum feed to the Panthers on their 10 metre line.
69 min: Time off here with Lachlan Coote down after he cleaned up by a Titans player.
69 min: So after all that no issue comes of it with Lachlan Coote informing the referee he was hit across the shoulders.
70 min: UNFORCED ERROR Gold Coast Titans
William Zillman coughed up the ball as Titans the couldn't clean the shocking passes. Zero tackle for the Panthers on halfway
71 min: A forward pass from the Panthers gives the Titans hope with a scrum feed on halfway
73 min: TRY
TRY Penrith Panthers
Scored by David Simmons. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh successful.
David Simmons took the kick of Aidan Sezer and he found a runner in Brad Tighe was streaked away 70 metres to score his THIRD try of the afternoon
Penrith Panthers 36-16
74 min: The Titans attempt the short kick off and it comes off with Jamal Idris coming up with the ball on the Panthers 40 metre line.
74 min: David Simmons cleans up the mistake from the Titans and gives the Panthers their set on their 40 metre line. The Titans have been on the back foot all second half.
76 min: Penalty to the Titans for a high shot. The Gold Coast march up to the Panthers 30 metre line to start to their set.
78 min: TRY
TRY Gold Coast Titans
Scored by Mark Minichiello. Conversion attempt by Scott Prince successful.
Mark Minichiello capitalises on the tiring defence of the Panthers and strolls in for the Titans first points of the second half. Scott Prince quickly conversion to make it a 14 point game.
Penrith Panthers 36-22
79 min: UNFORCED ERROR Gold Coast Titans
Jamal Idris makes an unforced error as he attempted to reach out and take the kick but first mistake ruled off the Panthers. Scrum feed to the Titans who will close the half with the ball you would think
80 min: FULL TIME here at Centrebet Stadium has seen the Panthers end the Titans' final hopes with a 36-22 win at home as the Penrith boys farewell the leaving players in Michael Gordon and Luke Lewis