Panthers maul Eels in Friday night lights

Penrith have taken the battle of the west tonight with a thorough 38-12 victory over a disjointed Parramatta side in front of 19,141 fans at Penrith Park tonight.

Both Parramatta and Penrith came into tonight in the top four - a rare feat, as both sides have never met each other while sitting in such a privileged position. The fans responded with a bulging crowd of 19,141 Western Sydney rugby league fans who were entertained with some sparkling football from the mountain men.

The barrage almost started in the opening thirty seconds, as the Eels forced a back-line movement that was spilled. Penrith weren't able to convert but they didn't have to wait long for points. Josh Mansour snuck under the guard of Ken Sio to get the opening points of first half onslaught.

It quietened down after the sugar high of the opening five minutes. Penrith though, once they got a sniff thanks to the constant errors from a Parramatta side that was stunted in their attack tonight. Every pass that looked promising hit the ground, good defensive sets were beguiled by penalties.

Parramatta invited the Panthers into their half with the warmth of a well regarded neighbour and the 3rd placed side weren't one to knock back this goodwill. James Segeyaro with a typical effort crossed in the 25th after a gap opened from the markers after he knocked on a similar dart in the opening 20.

A penalty goal from the resurgent Soward who's kicking game was strong all night including five goals and two try-assists from the boot. The five-eighth would add an effort that reminded everyone why he was labelled the "fastest man over 40 metres" to send the locals into party mode just before the full-time whistle.

This Panthers team has some speed to burn including the back row, as Tyrone Peachey showed a turn of speed in his two try salvo either side of the half-time whistle. His first was a simple sprint from an adventurous Wallace chip inside him own half found it's way to the second-rower. The second was all Peachey - he bumped, spun and out-paced the Eels chasers to put the mountain men ahead by 24. 

Many critics had derided Gus Gould's five year plan, as nonsense but the proof was in the pudding of the 17 that took the field tonight. It included several youngsters from the Panthers NYC squad - Cartwright, Moylan and Yeo, exciting talent from the league including two try hero Peachey and impressive halves in Wallace and Soward.

One of the youngsters mentioned the previous paragraph Yeo, put the result beyond doubt with his 59th minute effort off a simple line run, as he was too strong for his opposite number. Penrith were leading 30-nil and looking to pile on the misery on a disjointed Eels line-up.

There was some brief respite for the Eels, as Manu Ma'u and Corey Norman crossed in a ten minute period after the hour mark to give the scoreboard an air of respectability at 30 points to 12. Josh Mansour joined Tyrone Peachey with a brace as he positioned himself perfectly from a Soward bomb. 

Penrith with the 38-12 win, won back to back games for the first time in 2014 to climb into third position on the ladder. Next week they travel to Queensland to face the sputtering Titans while Parramatta also play Queensland opposition - North Queensland but at Pirtek Stadium which has become a fortress for the blue and golds.

Match Details
Penrith Panthers 38 Parramatta Eels 12
Venue: Sportingbet Stadium Penrith
Crowd: 19141
Halftime Score: Penrith Panthers 18 Parramatta Eels 0

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Peter Wallace
2 points - Tyrone Peachey
1 point - Jamie Soward

PENRITH PANTHERS (38)
Tries: Josh Mansour (2), Jamie Soward, James Segeyaro, Tyrone Peachey (2), Isaah Yeo
Field Goals:
Conversions: Jamie Soward (4/7)
Penalty Goals: Jamie Soward (1/1)

PARRAMATTA EELS (12)
Tries: Pauli Pauli, Corey Norman
Field Goals:
Conversions: Chris Sandow (2/2)
Penalty Goals:

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Early team changes ahead of tonight's match at Sportingbet Stadium. Jamal Idris has taken a leave of absence from his playing duties and won't take the field for the Penrith Panthers.

Meanwhile, Jarryd Hayne has been rested by the Parramatta Eels after his speculator performance for the NSW Blues in State of Origin Game 1 on Wednesday Night. Justin Hunt has been called up into the side to make his debut at fullback.

Full TEAM CHANGES for tonight:

Parramatta have some simple changes - Jarryd Hayne is OUT with fatigue after his masterful origin performance so Justin Hunt, the former Rabbitoh comes in at fullback. A slight change in the forwards with Peni Teripo starting in #15 instead of Joseph Paulo.

Now for Penrith - there are quite a few changes, so bear with us during this. Firstly Jamal Idris, as reported is taking leave from rugby league due to personal issues, IsaahYeo takes his centre spot in #21. For the forwards Tyrone Peachey jumps into the starting line-up for Adam Docker who has general soreness. Tim Grant is also out with Nigel Plum and Bryce Cartwright slotting on the bench in #19 and #20 respectively.

Welcome to a packed Penrith Park! Tonight is the battle of the west, probably one of the more anticipated versions of the clash, as both teams sit in the NRL top four after horror seasons in 2013. Parramatta have been led in their revival by Jarryd Hayne and Chris Sandow, the former will be missing thus the halfback will shoulder responsibility.

For Penrith - it is a big night for the Cartwright family, Bryce the nephew of John will be on the bench, looking to rip and tear in front of his home ground. Most of the headlines this week has been around Jamal Idris but the halves pairing of Soward and Wallace have been quietly going about their business in winning games. Join us for full coverage in ten minutes!

Penrith is looking magnificent here with blue, gold and black jerseys sprinkled everywhere in the crowd. First out is the Parramatta side who are in their traditional blue and gold jerseys, taking up residence in the northern end of the stadium. Here comes the home side, Penrith after the bell tolled are onto the field, ready to kick-off.

1: Matt Moylan puts the ball into the night sky and here we go!

1: Not the start the Eels want.. they tried to force a backline movement and it failed. Penrith right on the attack.

2: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
James Segeyaro makes an unforced error.
There was a chance of a try for Segeyaro and the hooker darted through. He was taken by Mansour in a well done tackle, losing it.

4: PENALTY Penrith - hand on the ball. Just can't do that in modern rugby league.

5: VIDEO REFEREE: Josh Mansour might have produced a phenomenal effort there to plant the ball.

5: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Josh Mansour. Kick to come.
GREEN LIGHTS..TRY! Well done Mansour! Soward stabbed the kick through, it initially looked too large before Mansour pounced sliding under Sio's radar.

6: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward successful.
Soward straight as an arrow with the conversion.

7: First tough assignment of the night for Justin Hunt. He had to deal with that swirling bomb but caught it with aplomb.

8: Another error from the Eels from their own end. Panthers looking for back to back scores here.

9: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
Dean Whare makes an unforced error.
Matt Moylan tries to pop it inside to Dean Whare but the centre can't hold. Watch out, here comes the semi trailer, Semi Radradra broke two tackles in his 50 metre return.

10: PENALTY Eels - Panthers were caught offside.

11: UNFORCED ERROR PARRAMATTA EELS
Darcy Lussick makes an unforced error.
Corey Norman thoroughly confused poor Lussick with his drifting right before dumping it inside. The forward spilled it.

12: UNFORCED ERROR PARRAMATTA EELS
Semi Radradra makes an unforced error.
Not as good as his last carry, Semi spills it, the Panthers once again are in a great attacking position.

13: Beautiful hands from Moylan and then Whare to find Simmons who can't get across the stripe.

13: PENALTY Panthers - sloppy, sloppy stuff from the Eels, caught offside again.

17: VIDEO REFEREE: Tyrone Peachey might have pounced upon one.. The Eels couldn't recover the kick, checking onside and the contest.

17: RED LIGHTS..NO TRY! Peachey with what you would call in soccer, a poacher's effort chalked off. Jamie Soward from his own bomb, knocked it on. Eels blushes saved.

22: SIX MORE for Penrith, as a Parramatta hand intervened.

23: Another knock down from the Eels from a dangerous looking backline movement.

25: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by James Segeyaro. Kick to come.
Segeyaro yah, Segeyaro! The hooker saw space again between the markers after Manu's quick play the ball, dummied and crossed the line.

25: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward successful.
Soward with an easy assignment for his second conversion puts it through.

28: UNFORCED ERROR PARRAMATTA EELS
Justin Hunt makes an unforced error.
Eels finally forced an opening in the Panthers line through Ma'u who got in inside to Hunt who is stripped of the ball by Soward.

29: VIDEO REFEREE: Moylan is taken maybe high.. after he collected a bomb.

29: RED LIGHTS..NO TRY! Moylan wasn't in a position to score when he was taken out. Penrith WILL get a penalty though for the high shot.

29: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL PENRITH PANTHERS
Penalty goal attempt by Jamie Soward successful.
The decision-makers for Penrith point right to the sticks. Soward walks in and slots his third of the night.

31: VIDEO REFEREE: Penrith once again tormenting Parramatta with kicks. Peachey claiming it.

31: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Tyrone Peachey. Kick to come.
GREEN LIGHTS..TRY! All stemmed from Wallace's chip kick from his own half, Moylan stubbed it forward into a contested possession.. before the ball got to Peachey who just blitz the remaining distance for the try.

31: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward unsuccessful.
Probably Soward's hardest conversion yet.. from out wide, in walks the diminutive five-eighth and he faded the wide.

33: PENALTY Eels - Nigel Plum the one pinged.

35: UNFORCED ERROR PARRAMATTA EELS
Pauli Pauli makes an unforced error.
That was handled Poorly by Pauli as the second-rower had to bend down to gather it in.

36: PENALTY Eels - strip penalty. It is taken quickly, Sandow off and running!

37: Another PENALTY for the Eels - A needed intervention from Moylan there. Here come the Eels.

37: UNFORCED ERROR PARRAMATTA EELS
Pauli Pauli makes an unforced error.
His second handle is as Pauli held as his first. Eels waste a golden opportunity.

40: HALFTIME! Penrith were setting up for a field goal that whole set until an errant pass. Penrith though dominated that first half, scoring three tries against a stunted Parramatta line-up.

40: Here we go for the second half, Eels once again out first lined up on halfway. Penrith with an eighteen point advantage come out next to 'Epic' by Faith No More which their first half was.

44: Good trap from Radradra on a kick return there. The opening few minutes here here has been devoid of action.

47: CROWD: 19.141 here at Penrith. Well done all.

48: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
Elijah Taylor makes an unforced error.
This situation is Taylor made for Bryce as he makes his way onto the field, takes his first touch a pass to Elijah who knocked on.

51: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Tyrone Peachey. Kick to come.
Tyrone Peachey! He brought back memories of his uncle with that run, bumped off one defender and saw open space.. he has deceptive speed this kid, just skipped away with ease.

52: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward successful.
Soward once again lines up and slots it.

54: PENALTY Eels - the chasers were inside the ten on the chase there. Some relief for the Eels.

55: UNFORCED ERROR PARRAMATTA EELS
Ken Sio makes an unforced error.
Nothing going to hand for the Eels here. Sio the latest to knock on.

55: PENALTY Panthers - the roar is turning into a crescendo now with the mountain men back on the attack.

56: The bantam weights are going at it! Soward regathered a falcon from Cartwright before being pounced on by Sandow with a hard hit.

57: Forward pass from Joseph Paulo, the fill-in rake after Nathan Peats has left.

58: VIDEO REFEREE: Lewis Brown trying to claim one but it looks to be an extended check on how we should re-start.

58: RED LIGHTS..NO TRY! Of course but it'll be a dropout incoming..

59: VIDEO REFEREE: Isaah Yeo looking for his first touchdown in the NRL.

59: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Isaah Yeo. Kick to come.
GREEN LIGHTS..TRY! Yeo man, the Panthers have secured the two points here. Yeo with a lovely line run just was too strong for the Eels defense.

60: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward successful.
Soward with all the bag of tricks, putting one over from the upright.

63: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
Peter Wallace makes an unforced error.
Sloppy handle from Wallace there.. he's going off on everyone but he has himself to blame.

64: VIDEO REFEREE: Eels put together a backline movement and despite being barrelled Justin Hunt might have scored?

64: RED LIGHTS..NO TRY! Hunt kept his feet in.. but knocked it on.

68: SIX MORE for the Eels.. can they get on the board!

69: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Pauli Pauli. Kick to come.
Yes they can! Sandow gives Pauli Pauli a lovely shuffle pass and the forward does the rest. No duck egg for the Eels tonight.

70: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
Sandow walks in to make it an even six and does.

72: That tackle wasn't Allgood. Penrith penalty after Mansour was taken above the horizontal. ON REPORT as well

78: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Corey Norman. Kick to come.
Norman's effort from a Kite drop ball.

74: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
Quick conversion from Sandow put over.

76: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Josh Mansour. Kick to come.
That was a magic trick from Mansour. Soward put the bomb across field and despite Hunt being in attention, the ball landed in Mansour's hands for the winger to cross.

77: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward unsuccessful.
Soward from wide out, misses.

79: A Eel movement breaks down.

79: VIDEO REFEREE: Soward has streaked away but we're checking the knock on, back on the forty.

79: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Jamie Soward. Kick to come.
GREEN LIGHTS..TRY! Jamie Soward, vintage effort from the five-eighth reminiscent of 2009. He just spied the gap and sped through until the try-line.

79: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward unsuccessful.
He steps up to convert his own kick and misses.

80: FULLTIME - An impressive display from the Panthers in defeating the Eels 38-12.