Taylor-made performance propels Souths over Penrith

A stellar performance from dropped origin star, Dave Taylor has helped Souths defeat Penrith 38 points to 12 in front of 13,096 fans at ANZ Stadium.

It was a cautious opening from two sides at opposing ends of the ladder but both missing origin stars. It would be small errors which would gift teams chances.

A penalty in possession gave Souths the ball and they used it to full effect.

The Panther chasers tried to pressure halfback Reynolds but he stepped and weaved before sending Dave Taylor over the opening points.

Taylor turned provided for the next try, swatting away defenders like flies before offloading to Farrell who in turn sent Nathan Merritt away for the first try of his brace.

Penrith weren't just going to roll over, it was a good hole run by Clint Newton which produced their first try. It was the spectacular though that leveled the score when Lachlan Coote tapped the ball to himself to touchdown.

Much like throughout the half, disappointment from the Panthers bore a result for the Rabbitohs.

Coote kicked out on the full then a late penalty allowed Reynolds to step up and give South Sydney a slender 14-12 lead at the break.

Momentum was with Penrith early in the resumption but it didn't produce any points to the delight of South Sydney. They also went close when Taylor showed his acrobatic skills catching a bomb but Luke being within the ten produced red lights.

He wouldn;t be denied the second time though, Taylor playing halfback threw a textbook cut-out pass to Everingham to quell the gallant resolve of Penrith. South Sydney were sensing an opportunity to increase their for and against.

They attacked in waves and whilst Merritt was denied initially following a great run. It was simple for Nathan Peats to dive over. Peats got his brace when Dylan Farrell captured a bomb and flicked it back for him to pounce upon.

David Simmons had a late consolation try chalked off due to a "driver" tactic from Etu Uaisele but this afternoon belonged to South Sydney who finished with a flurry as Nathan Merritt used Inspector Gadget arms to not separate his shoulder and score.

Reynolds piloted it over to complete a perfect afternoon with the boot and a dominating performance from South Sydney, 38 points to 12.

Match Details
South Sydney Rabbitohs 38 defeated Penrith Panthers 12
National Rugby League - Round 17 - Sunday July 1, 2012 3:00pm
Venue: ANZ Stadium
Referee: Gerard Sutton and Steve Lyons
Video Referee: Paul Simpkins
Touch Judges: Grant Atkins and Jason Walsh
Crowd: 13,096
Halftime: South Sydney Rabbitohs 14 Penrith Panthers 12

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Dave Taylor (1 Try)
2 Points - Adam Reynolds (5 Conversions, 1 Penalty Goal)
1 Point - Nathan Peats (2 Tries)

South Sydney Rabbitohs (38)
Tries: Nathan Merritt (2), Dave Taylor, Nathan Peats (2), Andrew Everingham
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (6/6)
Penalty Goals: Adam Reynolds (1/1)

Penrith Panthers (12)
Tries: Clint Newton, Lachlan Coote
Conversions: Lachlan Coote (2/2)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to sunny albeit chilly ANZ Stadium where South Sydney, will host the erratic Penrith side.
TEAM CHANGES:

South Sydney: They welcome back Dave Taylor in 18 and Sam Burgess in 19. This moves Ben Lowe to the bench with Scott Geddes and George Burgess out of the side.

Penrith: Geoff Daniela is out, replaced by Josh Mansour. Harry Siejka was dropped back to Toyota Cup and Travis Burns takes his place at halfback.
The Rabbitohs have thrashed the ladder leading Panthers 46-16 in the Toyota Cup curtainraiser.
The imperial march is sounding through ANZ, signalling the arrival of the Panthers to the field. Followed shortly by Glory Glory to loud cheers for the home side.
Penrith are kicking off and here we go!
4 min: First penalty after four minutes. Panthers caught offside.
5 min: Rabbitohs shifting it from left to right. They run it on last with Farrell who is almost over but decides to flick it to his winger although it goes over the sideline.
7 min: Silly from the Panthers. They had the Rabbitohs pinned deep in their own area but concede an unnecessary penalty. Souths get a piggyback out from their own end.
11 min: Thee quick darts from Penrith are finding space behind the markers and it pays dividends with a penalty.
15 min: Penrith on the attack here after John Sutton is almost caught with the ball on last.
15 min: Mansour penalised for not playing the ball properly.
18 min: TRY
Brilliant work by Adam Reynolds there. He was pressured on last, stepped found space and drew his man before sending Dave Taylor in for a try in his 100th NRL game. Reynolds puts the icing on the cake with the conversion.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 6-0
24 min: TRY
Some good hands in a short piece of land. Dave Taylor bursts through two defenders offloads to Farrell who finds Nathan Merritt who strolls in for a TRY! Reynolds sneaks it just inside the goalposts for the conversion.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 12-0
28 min: Souths are dominating and will get a full set at the Panthers line, after Clint Newton takes out a chaser.
VIDEO REFEREE: Checking if Sam Burgess has slammed the ball down for a TRY.
29 min: NO TRY. Burgess lost it, trying to slam the ball down.
31 min: TRY
A good break from Kevin Kingston who avoided Burgess and steamed downfield. In attack, Clint Newton runs a good line to streamroll his way over. Coote from out wide, converts.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 12-6
33 min: It's a dislocated shoulder for Austin, he won't be back. Arana Taumata comes on in #17.
34 min: Crafty work on last by Penrith. They bomb it high and recover the ball, keeping it alive before Uaisele kicks for himself. Panthers will have a full set, after Taylor put a foot on the line trying to recover the kick.
36 min: Penalty against Souths for holding on too long.
VIDEO REFEREE: Lachlan Coote might have produced a circus trick to even the scores.
38 min: TRY
A deliberate kick on fourth tackle for Lachlan Coote finds the fullback who taps it for himself to touchdown! Coote converts his own try.
12 all
39 min: All the momentum and Lachlan Coote looking for a deep kick, kicks it out on the full.
40 min: Reynolds kicks for Everingham, finds him and he almost scores but the play breaks down. Lucky for Souths, it was offside and Souths opt for goal.
40 min: PENALTY GOAL
Reynolds makes no mistake and Souths will take a lead into halftime.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 14-12
Both sides have made their way back out for the second half. South Sydney will kick-off.
Farrell puts boot to ball and here we go again!
46 min: Good pressure by Penrith on last, forces Reynolds to kick out on the full.
47 min: Penrith were doing well but one disappointment begets another. Souths receiving a relieving penalty.
VIDEO REFEREE: Checking for a Dave Taylor try.. checking offside.
50 min: NO TRY. Isaac Luke was within the ten when Dave Taylor took the ball.
51 min: After a delay to tend to Corrigan, Penrith put it high on last and trap Everingham in goal.
52 min: Early tackle kick again from Penrith forces Hunt to force the ball again. Drop out.
54 min: Acrobatics from Josh Mansour almost gets him the try after some hot potato football but he dropped it.
54 min: Brilliant offload from Taylor to Everingham finds him into space but he's rounded up. Next tackle, Souths try to throw it wide but it's forward.
56 min: Clint Newton tries to play the ball too fast and knocks on.
57 min: John Sutton shows it and goes himself. Penalty to Souths for holding down.
59 min: TRY
Taylor turned halfback this time instead of steamrolling people sending Andrew Everingham in for the TRY after two successive penalties. Straight as an arrow is Reynolds with his conversion.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 20-12
63 min: Panthers fail to get to their kick on last, knocking it on.
65 min: TRY
South Sydney can sense blood in the water now. A lovely ball to Merritt almost sends the fullback over but he's held. Next tackle, Luke to Peats.. TRY. Reynolds with the conversion.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 26-12
69 min: Penrith forcing a pass that wasn't on, knocking it on. Souths scrum.
71 min: TRY
Reynolds puts the kick into the no mans land finding Farrell who flicks it back for Peats to dive over for a brace. Reynolds converts.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 32-12
VIDEO REFEREE: Seeing if David Simmons has scored despite Hunt's attention.
74 min: NO TRY! Justin Hunt did just enough to hold up David Simmons. It will be compounded with a penalty for Uaisele being a driver.
76 min: To add to his brace, Nathan Peats puts up the bomb and gets a result. A knock on from Taumata.
VIDEO REFEREE: Checking if Nathan Merritt has scored.
78 min: TRY
That was some Inspector Gadget style arm movements from Nathan Merritt. He spied a gap and accelerated through it although he was caught, he used his rubber arm to get it down. Reynolds is peter perfect this afternoon with his conversions.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 38-12
80 min: Late penalty for crowding and Souths will finish with the ball.