Vale: Terry Hill
11 hours ago | National Rugby League
Passionate Panthers outmuscle poor Dragons
Video referee controversy has reared its head again as the Penrith Panthers pulled off an historic 19-0 win over the St George Illawarra Dragons in front of 10,922 fans at WIN Jubilee Oval.
The match created history as it was the first time in history that a Dragons side had been kept scoreless at Kogarah as well as it was the first time Penrith had managed to score wins in all three grades on the same day at Kogarah.
Both sides were coming off strong wins last week with the Dragons scoring a strong win last week and were heavy favourites to beat a Penrith Panthers side who were also coming off a strong 56 point win over the New Zealand Warriors last time out.
The game started well for the Dragons with David Simmons making an early error which lead to what looked like the first try of the game for Bronson Harrison but on review from the Video Referees the Dragons were ruled to have run an obstruction play and the pressure was let off Penrith.
From that moment it was all the momentum was with the Panthers. The Panthers forwards looked too strong for the Dragons defence and throughout the half the Panthers were able to score three first half tries from Travis Robinson, Matt Moylan and Dean Whare with Luke Walsh continuing his good form with the boot slotting all three conversions.
The second half was the definition of a rugby league arm-wrestle with neither side looking very likely to score and it was the Dragons who looked to have scored the tries but on each occasion were called back by the video referees somewhat controversially.
The Panthers had five shots at field goal throughout the second half and it was on the last attempt that Luke Walsh was able to secure a the field goal which were the only points of the second half.
Penrith will look forward to next weekend with the side having the bye and the week after playing the Wests Tigers at Centrebet Stadium meanwhile the Dragons who don’t get their first bye for another month have a tough task taking on the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium next Friday night.
Match Details
St. George Illawarra Dragons 0 Penrith Panthers 19
Venue: Kogarah Oval
Crowd: 10922
Halftime Score: Penrith Panthers 18-0
LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Matt Moylan
2 points - Travis Robinson
1 point - Josh Dugan
ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (0)
No points
PENRITH PANTHERS (19)
Tries: Travis Robinson, Matt Moylan, Dean Whare
Field Goals: Luke Walsh (1/4), Matt Moylan (0/1)
Conversions: Luke Walsh (3/3)
LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary
Dragons: 1. Josh Dugan 22. Brett Morris 3. Chase Stanley 2. Daniel Vidot 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Jamie Soward 7. Nathan Fien 8. Dan Hunt 20. Cameron King 10. Michael Weyman 11. Bronson Harrison 12. Ben Creagh (c) 13. Trent Merrin
Interchange: 9. Mitch Rein 14. Tyson Frizell 16. Jack de Belin 17. Jack Stockwell
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. James Segeyaro 15. Mose Masoe 16. Clint Newton 19. James Roberts
Interchange: 9. Mitch Rein 14. Tyson Frizell 16. Jack de Belin 17. Jack Stockwell
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. James Segeyaro 15. Mose Masoe 16. Clint Newton 19. James Roberts
TEAM NEWS - great for the Red V with Brett Morris returning early from injury. Matt Cooper is omitted from the backline with a toe injury meaning Daniel Vidot will play in the centres, Morris to the wing. Cameron King will start at hooker with Mitch Rein dropping back to the bench, and Matt Prior is the player left out. For Penrith, just the one change with #17 Ryan Simpkins making way for debutant James Roberts in jersey #19.
Just over 10 minutes to kick off at Kogarah, been a good day for the Panthers lower grades teams with the Windsor Wolves scoring a 36-32 win over the Illawarra Cutters and a 25-18 win in the Holden Cup
Sides making their way on to Kogarah Oval, last time these two sides played at the ground it was the Panthers who won the match
1 min: Penrith kick on the third tackle and Dragons come away with possession 20m out from their own line
2 min: VIDEO REFEREE: Checking a possible Dragons try to Bronson Harrison, checking obstruction- Chris James says NO TRY
3 min: NO TRY - Video Referees stick with the onfield call from Chris James and rule that Dan Hunt Obstructed the Panthers defensive line
3 min: Panthers complete an excellent set of six and get a repeat set after Daniel Vidot can't take a Luke Walsh bomb cleanly
4 min: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Travis Robinson. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh successful.
Some good work by the Panthers gives Travis Robinson his 5th try of the season and the Panthers get the first points of the game, Luke Walsh keeps the goal kicking form from last week going
Penrith Panthers 6-0
Scored by Travis Robinson. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh successful.
Some good work by the Panthers gives Travis Robinson his 5th try of the season and the Panthers get the first points of the game, Luke Walsh keeps the goal kicking form from last week going
Penrith Panthers 6-0
5 min: Panthers have a good set after points getting it to halfway and now Dragons on the attack after the Isaac John kick finds Vidot on the full
10 min: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Matt Moylan. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh successful.
An excellent run from Kevin Kingston at dummy half to set up Matt Moylan who scores under the sticks and Luke Walsh has no problems converting
Penrith Panthers 12-0
Scored by Matt Moylan. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh successful.
An excellent run from Kevin Kingston at dummy half to set up Matt Moylan who scores under the sticks and Luke Walsh has no problems converting
Penrith Panthers 12-0
12 min: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
Tim Grant makes an unforced error.
Tim Grant makes an uncharacteristic error gives the Dragons possession on the Panthers 30m
Tim Grant makes an unforced error.
Tim Grant makes an uncharacteristic error gives the Dragons possession on the Panthers 30m
14 min: Luke Walsh puts another kick in on the third tackle and almost pulls off a 40-20 but backspin saves Josh Dugan and the Dragons
16 min: Panthers definitely with all the running in the opening 15 minutes, making easy metres as well as the 2 tries they have scored
16 min: PENALTY - Dragons get a penalty with the Panthers ruled to have pulled the leg of Josh Dugan who took the quick tap at the 20m restart
17 min: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Trent Merrin makes an unforced error.
Some strong defensive pressure from the Panthers forces Trent Merrin to drop the ball
Trent Merrin makes an unforced error.
Some strong defensive pressure from the Panthers forces Trent Merrin to drop the ball
21 min: PENALTY - Penrith get a penalty after Nathan Fien penalised for a high tackle that bounced off the shoulder
22 min: PENALTY - Penrith get a penalty on the last tackle with Jamie Soward being ruled to have stayed too long in the tackle
23 min: Lewis Brown goes close to scoring a third for the Panthers but can't get his hands on the Luke Walsh grubber kick and play goes back for a 20m restart
24 min: PENALTY - Dragons get a penalty and will start their set 25m out from the Panthers line
25 min: Panthers getting the luck of the calls from the referee in the set, then again after 3 tackles Luke Walsh kicks and finds touch 10m out from the Dragons line
29 min: PENALTY - Panthers give a way a cheap penalty against James Segeyaro
31 min: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
James Roberts makes an unforced error.
James Roberts tries to play the ball too quickly
James Roberts makes an unforced error.
James Roberts tries to play the ball too quickly
33 min: Dean Whare tries to push an offload 5 metres short of the Dragons try line but cleaned up by Ben Creagh
33 min: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Nathan Fien makes an unforced error.
Throws a pass that goes forward into touch and Panthers get possession
Nathan Fien makes an unforced error.
Throws a pass that goes forward into touch and Panthers get possession
33 min: VIDEO REFEREE - Checking a possible Dean Whare try - Chris James says TRY
35 min: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Dean Whare. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh successful.
Video Referees need just one replay to award Dean Whare a try, good lead up play by Lewis Brown gave Dean Whare the try in the corner, Luke Walsh keeps his good goal kicking form going
Penrith Panthers 18-0
Scored by Dean Whare. Conversion attempt by Luke Walsh successful.
Video Referees need just one replay to award Dean Whare a try, good lead up play by Lewis Brown gave Dean Whare the try in the corner, Luke Walsh keeps his good goal kicking form going
Penrith Panthers 18-0
37 min: Travis Robinson gets an unlucky bounce and knocks the ball on from a James Roberts kick, Panthers looking good in the first half
39 min: UNSUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL PENRITH PANTHERS
Field goal attempt by Luke Walsh unsuccessful.
Luke Walsh takes a shot at field goal but scrapes the paint on the wrongside of the posts
Penrith Panthers 18-0
Field goal attempt by Luke Walsh unsuccessful.
Luke Walsh takes a shot at field goal but scrapes the paint on the wrongside of the posts
Penrith Panthers 18-0
40 min: HALF TIME at Kogarah Oval - the Panthers have a somewhat unexpected 18-0 lead over the St George Illawarra Dragons, third week in a row the Panthers have lead to nil in the first half
41 min: Play underway in the second half and its the Dragons with the possession first
44 min: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Josh Dugan makes an unforced error.
Josh Dugan unable to capitalise on an enterprising opportunity, close to the Panthers line
Josh Dugan makes an unforced error.
Josh Dugan unable to capitalise on an enterprising opportunity, close to the Panthers line
46 min: Things definitely not going the Dragons way, just through an intercept straight to the waiting Clint Newton and Panthers on the attack
47 min: Dragons again go close but can't captialise on the chances
48 min: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
James Roberts makes an unforced error.
James Roberts can't catch an offload and puts the ball forward
James Roberts makes an unforced error.
James Roberts can't catch an offload and puts the ball forward
50 min: Matt Moylan watches the ball go over the dead ball line, as Josh Dugan is on the ground winded
51 min: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
Mose Masoe makes an unforced error.
Mose Masoe drops the ball cold thinking about the next offload in his own half
Mose Masoe makes an unforced error.
Mose Masoe drops the ball cold thinking about the next offload in his own half
52 min: The Panthers looking strong in defence though the Dragons not showing much direction in the attack
54 min: VIDEO REFEREE - Checking a possible Daniel Vidot try, checking contest and contact on the kicker - Chris James has said TRY
55 min: NO TRY - Daniel Vidot ruled to have knocked on by the Video Referees
57 min: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Ben Creagh makes an unforced error.
Again on the attack the Dragons unable to capitalise this time Ben Creagh makes the mistake
Ben Creagh makes an unforced error.
Again on the attack the Dragons unable to capitalise this time Ben Creagh makes the mistake
60 min: PENALTY - The Dragons let the pressure of with Frizell penalised for a second effort in pushing the Panthers player back into his own ingoal
60 min: PENALTY - Sika Manu penalised for hand on the ball on the first tackle, deep in the Dragons half
62 min: Luke Walsh shows some instinctive play by putting 2 grubber kicks through the Dragons defensive line & they start the set of six 10m out from their own line
64 min: The Dragons again unable to capitalise on good field position and chances, unluckily being called to hand the ball over
66 min: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Brett Morris makes an unforced error.
Brett Morris makes an error on his own 20m, giving the Panthers an attacking set of six close to the Dragons line
Brett Morris makes an unforced error.
Brett Morris makes an error on his own 20m, giving the Panthers an attacking set of six close to the Dragons line
67 min: PENALTY - Michael Weyman penalised for a high tackle, referee Adam Devcich not having any of Michael Weyman's rebuttal on the decision
68 min: Luke Walsh puts a chip over the top for Matt Moylan but nothing comes of it with Moylan running straight into the defenders
69 min: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Jamie Soward makes an unforced error.
Jamie Soward tries to offload the ball but goes about 5m forward and the Dragons let the pressure off the Panthers again
Jamie Soward makes an unforced error.
Jamie Soward tries to offload the ball but goes about 5m forward and the Dragons let the pressure off the Panthers again
69 min: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Jamie Soward makes an unforced error.
Jamie Soward tries to offload the ball but goes about 5m forward and the Dragons let the pressure off the Panthers again
Jamie Soward makes an unforced error.
Jamie Soward tries to offload the ball but goes about 5m forward and the Dragons let the pressure off the Panthers again
70 min: UNSUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL PENRITH PANTHERS
Field goal attempt by Luke Walsh unsuccessful.
Luke Walsh tries his second field goal attempt and again just misses
Penrith Panthers 18-0
Field goal attempt by Luke Walsh unsuccessful.
Luke Walsh tries his second field goal attempt and again just misses
Penrith Panthers 18-0
71 min: VIDEO REFEREE - Checking a possible Travis Robinson try, checking obstruction and grounding - Adam Devcich has said NO TRY
71 min: NO TRY - Dragons relieved that the red lights come up but do have to defend another set with Daniel Vidot grounding the ball before Travis Robinson got hands to it
72 min: UNSUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL PENRITH PANTHERS
Field goal attempt by Luke Walsh unsuccessful.
Third time Luke Walsh has a crack at Field Goal and hits the posts then penalised for an accidental high tackle
Penrith Panthers 18-0
Field goal attempt by Luke Walsh unsuccessful.
Third time Luke Walsh has a crack at Field Goal and hits the posts then penalised for an accidental high tackle
Penrith Panthers 18-0
73 min: VIDEO REFERE - Checking a possible Dragons try, checking a possible knock on - Chris James has said NO TRY
73 min: NO TRY - Again the Dragons can't get the green lights from the Video Referee, Jamie Soward ruled to have knocked on
75 min: Inside the final 5 minutes and Penrith should secure victory, only question is can they keep the Dragons scoreless?
77 min: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Josh Dugan makes an unforced error.
Josh Dugan loses the ball on the last tackle which sums up the Dragons night tonight
Josh Dugan makes an unforced error.
Josh Dugan loses the ball on the last tackle which sums up the Dragons night tonight
78 min: UNSUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL PENRITH PANTHERS
Field goal attempt by Matt Moylan unsuccessful.
Matt Moylan takes the shot at field goal from 42m out, has to contend with Dragons defenders as well as Referee Chris James, drops about 5m short
Penrith Panthers 18-0
Field goal attempt by Matt Moylan unsuccessful.
Matt Moylan takes the shot at field goal from 42m out, has to contend with Dragons defenders as well as Referee Chris James, drops about 5m short
Penrith Panthers 18-0
80 min: SUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL PENRITH PANTHERS
Field goal attempt by Luke Walsh successful.
Luke Walsh takes his fourth and the Panthers fifth field goal attempt
Penrith Panthers 19-0
Field goal attempt by Luke Walsh successful.
Luke Walsh takes his fourth and the Panthers fifth field goal attempt
Penrith Panthers 19-0
80 min: FULL TIME at Kogarah Oval, the Panthers hit 3 straight wins and 4 out of their past 5 with a 19-0 win