Penrith Panthers secured their 20th win of the NRL regular season after a rough and tumble 30-16 success against Wests Tigers this afternoon at Moreton Daily Stadium.
It was the tune-up the Panthers needed headed in the finals headed by the twin threat of Villaime Kikau and Tevita Pangai-Junior in the forwards alongside the guile of Jarome Luai in the halves helped them score six tries to the Tigers three tonight.
These two played out a fierce and fiery contest during the Origin period where the Tigers prevailed 26-6. Today both sides were strong as possible and the Panthers had the greater edge in their attack with the potent left side scoring three tries - led by a bullocking runs from Kikau.
Adding some more punch to the Panthers forwards, Pangai Junior has settled in well and has created a wonderful partnership with Panthers other destructive backrower Villiame Kikau which might lead to them being labelled the Bash Brothers akin to the Mighty Ducks movie from the 90s.
The game started off with a rare feat with prop forwards from both sides getting the first tries. Moses Leota pounced on a well directed Nathan Cleary kick to get the Panthers on the board before Tigers forward Stefano Utoikamanu trailed hooker Jacob Liddle on a break down the middle to make it 6-6.
Panthers took control of the contest before the break with Pangai Junior steamed onto a short ball to give them a 12-6 lead at the break. It wasn't the usual well oiled machine for the Panthers with a couple of attacking raids going wrong which kept the game close.
After half-time Panthers broke the game open with three tries in quick succession. Luai who played a starring role tonight sliced through first then Kikau pushed past some flimsy Tigers defense to further extend the lead. Brian To'o scored on his return to the side from a well worked scrum play which had the Panthers comfortable 30-6.
Tigers showed some late fight to reduce the margin to 14. Interchange hooker Jake Simpkins found the smallest opening close to the line with 10 minutes go then mid-season signing Ken Maumalo continued his try-scoring form with a magnificent wingers finish to make it 30-16.
The Panthers have a mathematical chance to still capture the Minor Premiership if Storm lose to the Sharks while they entertain Western Sydney neighbours Parramatta Eels. For the Tigers they have one final appointment before they can put a disappointing 2021 season to bed. That is the Canterbury Bulldogs, next Sunday.