Phins fly past sluggish Eels
12 hours ago | Andy P
Panthers shock lackluster Storm
Penrith have recorded a shock 12-10 victory over reigning premiers Melbourne in front a hearty crowd of 7,803 at Centrebet Stadium tonight.
A tough opening exchange signalled that Penrith were here to play tonight and it shook the Storm who were looking for a bounce back win after the shock loss to Canberra.
On 13 minutes, their plan came to fruition, as David Simmons pounced on a Storm cut-out pass to race the rest of the way for the try.
After getting points on the board the Penrith halves took control of the game, forcing Slater to knock it dead several times. Walsh was the architect for the second try, floating a crossfield kick to Travis Robinson who planted it down to make it 8-0.
He was also involved for the third Panthers try. Walsh drew two defenders, got it to Moylan who sent David Simmons in for his brace and a double digit lead for Penrith over the reigning premiers going to the break.
Melbourne would have got a Sir Alex Ferguson style hair-dryer treatment from Craig Bellamy at halftime and it showed in their opening set. They showed more purpose than the whole first forty minutes.
It was the not surprisingly one of the big three, Cooper Cronk who laid on a kick for Waqa who got a fortuitous bounce from Robinson to get the easy try.
Storm moved within two points of the Panthers when a last ditch strip from Matt Moylan after a weaving Cameron Smith run was pounced on by Jesse Bromwich. The fans jeered the referee but it was the right call and it was game on again.
Melbourne threw all their might at the home side but weren't able to crack the Penrith side who recorded a rare victory over the Storm.
Match Details
Penrith Panthers 12 Melbourne Storm 10
Venue: Penrith Stadium
Crowd: 7803
Halftime Score: Penrith Panthers 12-0
LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Luke Walsh
2 points - David Simmons
1 point - Matt Moylan
PENRITH PANTHERS (12)
Tries: David Simmons (2), Travis Robinson
Field Goals: Luke Walsh (0/1)
Conversions: Luke Walsh (0/3)
Penalty Goals:
MELBOURNE STORM (10)
Tries: Sisa Waqa, Jesse Bromwich
Field Goals:
Conversions: Cameron Smith (1/2)
Penalty Goals:
LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary
Panthers: 1. Matt Moylan 2. Travis Robinson 3. Lewis Brown 4.Dean Whare 5.David Simmons 6.Isaac John 7. Luke Walsh 8.Nigel Plum 9. Kevin Kingston (C) 10. Tim Grant 11. Sika Manu 12. Matt Robinson 13. Adam Docker
Interchange: 14. Mose Masoe 15. Sam Anderson 16. James Segeyaro 17. Clint Newton 18. Nathan Smith
Storm: 1. Billy Slater 2. Sisa Waqa 3. Will Chambers 4. Justin O'Neill 5. Mahe Fonua 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Bryan Norrie 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Tohu Harris
Interchange: 14. Jason Ryles 15. Junior Moors 16. Maurice Blair 17. Brett Finch 18. Slade Griffin 19. Lagi Setu 20. Kenneath Bromwich
Interchange: 14. Mose Masoe 15. Sam Anderson 16. James Segeyaro 17. Clint Newton 18. Nathan Smith
Storm: 1. Billy Slater 2. Sisa Waqa 3. Will Chambers 4. Justin O'Neill 5. Mahe Fonua 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Bryan Norrie 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Tohu Harris
Interchange: 14. Jason Ryles 15. Junior Moors 16. Maurice Blair 17. Brett Finch 18. Slade Griffin 19. Lagi Setu 20. Kenneath Bromwich
Welcome to Penrith Park for tonight's clash.. Penrith hosting reigning premiers, Melbourne. The Storm are coming off their first loss in 2013 while Penrith come off a loss to the high flying Roosters.
TEAM CHANGES:
PEN: 1-17
MEL: One change - Brett Finch drops off the bench replaced by Slade Griffin.
PEN: 1-17
MEL: One change - Brett Finch drops off the bench replaced by Slade Griffin.
1 min: Both teams have made their way onto the field, Penrith wearing a brown strip with a white vee and Melbourne are in their white away jersey. Melbourne kick-off and here we go.
9 min: It's been a solid opening nine minutes with both teams focusing on field position.
10 min: PENALTY Melbourne. They are on the attack now.
13 min: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by David Simmons. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh unsuccessful.
Melbourne try to get themselves an overlap with a cut-out pass but it only goes to David Simmons who goes the length to score the first try of the evening. Walsh from wide, misses.
Penrith Panthers 4-0
Scored by David Simmons. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh unsuccessful.
Melbourne try to get themselves an overlap with a cut-out pass but it only goes to David Simmons who goes the length to score the first try of the evening. Walsh from wide, misses.
Penrith Panthers 4-0
14 min: Penrith make an error in their first set following the points. Can Melbourne make them pay.
VIDEO REFEREE: Checking if Travis Robinson has planted the ball. If not, referee has indicated it'll be a PENALTY.
19 min: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Travis Robinson. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh unsuccessful.
GREEN LIGHTS.. TRY! The video referee judges that Robinson got the ball to the line following the cross-field kick from Walsh. Luke Walsh has an attempt from the sideline here to make it a double digit lead and fades it away.
Penrith Panthers 8-0
Scored by Travis Robinson. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh unsuccessful.
GREEN LIGHTS.. TRY! The video referee judges that Robinson got the ball to the line following the cross-field kick from Walsh. Luke Walsh has an attempt from the sideline here to make it a double digit lead and fades it away.
Penrith Panthers 8-0
22 min: Storm find some space Waqa who goes for a kick but it goes out on the full.
23 min: A lovely rolling kick from Walsh forced Slater to take it dead. Another six tackles here for Penrith.
26 min: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by David Simmons. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh unsuccessful.
Penrith are on a roll here. Walsh draws two defenders who came up quick, offloaded to Moylan who gets it to Simmons who plants it down just inside the dead ball. The kicks aren't getting easier for Walsh another from the sideline. He hooks this one too much and it is wide.
Penrith Panthers 12-0
Scored by David Simmons. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh unsuccessful.
Penrith are on a roll here. Walsh draws two defenders who came up quick, offloaded to Moylan who gets it to Simmons who plants it down just inside the dead ball. The kicks aren't getting easier for Walsh another from the sideline. He hooks this one too much and it is wide.
Penrith Panthers 12-0
30 min: Waqa tried to get up too quickly to play the ball, losing it in the process. Penrith are all over Melbourne currently.
31 min: This has been a composed performance from Penrith - John rolls it in again for a repeat set.
34 min: David Simmons! He is having a blinder thus far, he gathers up a Smith kick and splits the defenders going on a 40 metre run before being roped in. Penrith follow it up with a PENALTY for offside. Here they go again.
35 min: Spoiled by a forward pass. Melbourne will be breathing a sigh of relief.
36 min: Slade Griffin goes without the ball.. Penrith on the attack.
37 min: Nice exchange of passes from Penrith almost comes to fruition but for a Segeyaro drop.
39 min: UNSUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL PENRITH PANTHERS
Field goal attempt by Luke Walsh unsuccessful.
Luke Walsh with nothing happening on last tries a field goal but falls short.
Penrith Panthers 12-0
Field goal attempt by Luke Walsh unsuccessful.
Luke Walsh with nothing happening on last tries a field goal but falls short.
Penrith Panthers 12-0
40 min: Well that almost came off for Penrith.. Lewis Brown takes a slips catch to give Penrith a final possession. Luke Walsh tries a cross-field kick for Simmons but it goes to Melbourne.
40 min: Storm get a PENALTY but are unable to do anything. HALFTIME.
41 min: We're back for the second half - Melbourne head to their positions to receive the kick-off. Penrith follow looking to get one over the reigning premiers. They kick-off and off we go again!
43 min: More brighter start to the second half for the Storm. Cronk almost goes through and they earn a repeat set after Simmons is pushed back into the in-goal.
45 min: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Sisa Waqa. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Some fortune but Melbourne have points! Cooper Cronk realises there is space behind Robinson and stabs one through which Robinson spills, right into the path of Waqa who scores. Cameron Smith with his first conversion of the night, hits the post and out.
Penrith Panthers 12-4
Scored by Sisa Waqa. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Some fortune but Melbourne have points! Cooper Cronk realises there is space behind Robinson and stabs one through which Robinson spills, right into the path of Waqa who scores. Cameron Smith with his first conversion of the night, hits the post and out.
Penrith Panthers 12-4
47 min: Some hot potato football here from Melbourne but they forced one pass too many as Isaac John swoops.
47 min: They get further joy with a Penrith PENALTY. They are on the attack again.
VIDEO REFEREE: David Simmons might have a hat-trick, checking grounding.
48 min: RED LIGHTS.. NO TRY! Simmons lost it after some handy work from Moylan to send him away.
55 min: PENALTY Melbourne - holding down too long.
57 min: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Jesse Bromwich. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Cam Smith goes on a weaving run and almost goes over but Moylan strips it out. Bromwich though is on hand to plant the ball for an easy try. Smith converts from in front.
Penrith Panthers 12-10
Scored by Jesse Bromwich. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Cam Smith goes on a weaving run and almost goes over but Moylan strips it out. Bromwich though is on hand to plant the ball for an easy try. Smith converts from in front.
Penrith Panthers 12-10
58 min: It's all starting to click for the Storm, Slater was almost in the clear but spills it.
65 min: Perfect placement from Cronk, he forced Simmons to take it in the field of play and be driven back. Dropout.
65 min: Panther fans wanted blood and they got it with a forward pass called.
69 min: Great take from Simmons who takes an AFL style mark and off he goes. He's caught but earns a PENALTY.
77 min: Melbourne keeping it alive but it's lost. Penrith three minutes away from a victory.
79 min: Last tackle bomb for Melbourne bounces but it taken by Walsh! Penrith to win this game.
80 min: PENALTY for a strip.. and Melbourne marched ten for dissent.
80 min: FULLTIME! Penrith have recorded a massive upset to defeat Melbourne 12 points to 10.