Penrith hold second spot with a thrilling victory

Penrith have confirmed their second spot with a thrilling victory over the Brisbane Broncos 22-12 in the first of a double header at Suncorp Stadium.

The game started with both teams having chances to put on the first points of the night but denied by some good defense. It took an Adrian Purtell intercept from a Darren Lockyer pass to open the scoring, with Michael Gordon failing to convert from the touchline.

Brisbane dominated possession for the next period of play without anything to show for it before Winterstein steps, spins and scores levels the score. Corey Parker made no mistake with the conversion to give the Broncos the lead just ten minutes before halftime.

Penrith weren't having a bar of being behind though, striking just before halftime through leading try-scorer Lachlan Coote who lept high and got to the ball first and from in front, Michael Gordon took the score to 10-6 at halftime with his successful conversion.

The second half was all Penrith in the beginning after some early dropsies with Luke Walsh using his kicking game to trap Brisbane in their own half but it was a running play on the last which opened the Brisbane defense in the second half, where Mr. Everywhere Luke Lewis making the difference eight with twenty and a bit to play.

Michael Gordon added a penalty goal to make the difference ten, Brisbane were rushing their attacking options but with ten to go, Peter Wallace weaved his way over to give Brisbane a faint hope of victory. This was extingushed though when Kevin Gordon three minutes from time, dived over from close range to give Penrith a 22-12 victory.

Match Details
Brisbane Broncos 12 were defeated by Penrith Panthers 22
National Rugby League - NRL - Round 15 - Friday June 18, 2010 7:00pm
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Referee: Gavin Badger and Brett Suttor
Video Referee: Steve Clark
Touch Judges: Gavin Morris and Russell Turner
Crowd: 42,233
Halftime: Brisbane Broncos 6 Penrith Panthers 10

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Lachlan Coote (1 Try)
2 Points - Luke Lewis (1 Try)
1 Point - Peter Wallace (1 Try)

Brisbane Broncos (12)
Tries: Peter Wallace, Antonio Winterstein
Conversions: Corey Parker (2/2)

Penrith Panthers (22)
Tries: Luke Lewis, Adrian Purtell, Lachlan Coote, Kevin Kingston
Conversions: Michael Gordon (2/4)
Penalty Goals: Michael Gordon (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to a packed Suncorp Stadium for tonight's doubleheader, first up will be Brisbane v Penrith. Earlier in the u20, Penrith snuck away with a victory 28-20.
Brisbane have one change with Nick Kenny returning and Lagi Setu dropping completely from the team, Penrith backrower Frank Puleta is back replacing Mike Bell who goes to the bench replacing number 15.
1 min: Lachlan Coote gets the game underway for tonight's double header.
2 min: Penrith drop it close to Brisbane's line and it's a turnover.
5 min: Josh Hoffman defuses a nice Graham bomb ignoring a charging Coote.
6 min: First penalty of the match goes to Brisbane.
6 min: A repeat penalty for Brisbane after Luke Lewis strips the ball.
8 min: Penrith keep it alive on last but it goes to Purtell who kicks it straight to Hoffman, who takes another good catch.
9 min: Michael Jennings shows the origin selectors he can tackle after dislodging the ball nicely.
10 min: Penrith try some offensive footy of their own but Coote spills it.
11 min: Israel Falou goes high to take a mark, sorry catch the bomb but he can't get it on the grass and held up on last.
12 min: First penalty of the night for Penrith off a great Kingston run.
14 min: Lachlan Coote is having an unhappy beginning, dropping another ball, this time close to the Brisbane line.
15 min: Close shave for Penrith there, the referee judges Falou touches it before Yow Yeh dots down for the try.
19 min: TRY
Darren Lockyer tries to shift it wide but Purtell snatches it and runs 60 metres to score an intercept try but it is in the corner. Gordon goes across the face of goal and misses.
Penrith Panthers 4-0
22 min: Penrith keep the ball alive after a forward pass isn't pulled up but a second deliberate one is pulled up, Brisbane ball.
24 min: Silly work by Trent Waterhouse who has a second grab at a Broncos player and concedes a penalty.
25 min: Peter Wallace goes himself but has a moment of madness throwing it to former Penrith team-mate Luke Lewis to stop the attacking raid.
28 min: Michael Jennings tries to dive on a loose ball from no marker at dummy-half but is penalised because he didn't run with it.
30 min: TRY
Brisbane finally have points for all their possesion. They go down the left and get it to Winterstein who steps, spins and scores. Parker puts it straight over the black dot.
Brisbane Broncos 6-4
32 min: Yow Yeh tries a speculator grab but drops it cold giving Penrith a great opportunity for more points.
36 min: Possible try to Lachlan Coote from another kick.
38 min: TRY
It's a try! Lachlan Coote shows Falou how it's done leaping high and getting there first and rolling over to score. Gordon has no troubles with the conversion.
Penrith Panthers 10-6
39 min: Brisbane try a last ditch attempt for some possesion with a 40/20 but it falls just short of the 20.
40 min: Penrith just ruck it up to finish the half. This has been an entertaining contest with both teams chancing their arm.
41 min: Both teams are back on the field for the second half and here we go!
41 min: Luke Lewis doesn't start the second half off happily, with an unecessary forward pass by Luke Lewis.
42 min: Some early dropsies with Wallace dropping it in Penrith's half.
43 min: Thaiday refuses to let Kingston get up and play the ball and penalised.
46 min: Broncos get a repeat set after Penrith play at the ball, meanwhile Jennings races away for no reason.
49 min: Michael Gordon just takes a scoot from dummy-half on last. Brisbane have a full set at Penrith in their half.
53 min: TRY
Penrith have finished a nice set of six, with a running play on last, getting it to mr. everywhere Luke Lewis to score giving Penrith some breathing space. Gordon misses it to the right.
Penrith Panthers 14-6
57 min: Both teams making errors but Broncos are panicing here.
58 min: Alex Glenn is taken straight from the field and up the tunnel with an ankle injury.
60 min: PENALTY GOAL
Penrith get a penalty right in front after a Brisbane player takes out Lachlan Coote. He slots it easy for the ten point gap.
Penrith Panthers 16-6
65 min: Lockyer tries a small grubber through the line but when Yow Yeh picks it up, he tries a pass but it goes over the sideline.
67 min: Michael Gordon and Gavin Cooper with some great defense to force a dropout from the Broncos.
68 min: Brisbane get a relieving penalty here and Lockyer gets a booming kick downfield.
69 min: Brisbane panic again throwing bad passes and Falou knocks it on.
72 min: Brisbane force a goal line dropout here, this may be their last chance to get back into the game. They get a penalty and tap.
73 min: TRY
Brisbane are back into this, Peter Wallace runs to the line, beats a few defenders and scores! Parker makes no mistake with the conversion, difference is now four!
Penrith Panthers 16-12
76 min: A poor option from Graham on the last, gives it back to the Broncos.
77 min: Darren Lockyer is caught on the last! Poor option there from the Queensland five eighth.
78 min: Broncos roll the dice here but it rolls snake eyes, they may have one more chance.
80 min: TRY
That is the game there for Penrith, with Kevin Kingston diving over from dummy-half. Gordon takes the last kick of the game and converts it.
Penrith Panthers 22-12