Cleary clinches victory in instant classic

Embed from Getty Images

Newcastle Knights v Penrith Panthers

An extra time field goal from Nathan Cleary has seen the Penrith Panthers extend a run of dominance over the Newcastle Knight with a 16-15 victory on Saturday evening.

Recording their sixth consecutive victory at McDonald Jones Stadium dating back to 2016, the Panthers struck victory in the 81st minute in an absorbing match played before a crowd of 26,084 supporters delighted by a heroic performance from the home side.

Coming up against a Newcastle side that gained plenty of admirers, the class of the premiers shone through in a passionate - and at time fiery - encounter destined to be remembered as an instant classic.

In a closely matched opening which saw Cleary slot an early penalty goal, the Knights showed their intentions with Tyson Gamble (12th minute) taking on the line with a show-and-go to give the home side the ascendancy.

Going further ahead after Dominic Young was cut down a metre out from the try line, Dane Gagai delivered a superb pass allowing Tyson Frizell (16th minute) to crash over from close range.

The Knights were made to pay for ill discipline with Brian To'o (21st minute) finishing off a right-side shift after Gagai was penalised for dissent towards the referee while in possession of the ball.

With first-choice hooker Jayden Brailey sidelined for the season after an ACL injury sustained last Sunday, replacement rake Phoenix Crossland (27th minute) produced an individual piece of class to kick from dummy half and get to the ball first to put the Knights up 14-6.

The Panthers were unable to capitalise on opportunities late in the half despite Cleary nailing a 40/20 and a successful challenge which overturned a sin bin against Spencer Leniu; Scott Sorenson appeared to score with seconds remaining before the break only the for the bunker to rule the interchange forward lost control of the ball.

In an error-riddled start to the second half, which saw Lachlan Miller drop the kick-off and fail to send a line drop out the required distance, Cleary opted to narrow the deficit to 14-8 with a close-range penalty.

Capitalising on an opportunity after Frizell was penalised for accidentally pulling the hair of Jarome Luai, the visitors levelled the scores at 14-all with Jaeman Salmon (57th minute) celebrating his 50th NRL appearance with a four-pointer.

The Knights missed an opportunity to regain the lead with Miller unable to nail a penalty goal, while Cleary was likewise off target with a field goal attempt at the other end of the field.

In a thrilling finish which saw Tyson Gamble and Cleary exchange field goals to tie the game up at 15-all, Hastings and Cleary were unable to clinch the result with long-range attempts in regulation time.

Electing to receive the kick-off in golden point, the Panthers needed only one set to seal the result via Cleary's game-clinching boot.

Next week, the Knights will travel to Townsville on Saturday evening to take on the Cowboys, while the Panthers will face the Rabbitohs on Thursday night in Sydney.