The Penrith Panthers have resumed transmission trouncing the hapless New Zealand Warriors side by 34 points this evening with returning superstars Jarome Luai and James Fisher-Harris playing a vital role.
It was a real David v Goliath battle at the foot of the mountains tonight, with Penrith in a celebratory mood while the Warriors were keen to head back across the ditch. After the last start 44 point loss to the Cowboys, it was imperative that the visitors start fast and after a clever short ball from Tohu Harris, Dunamis Lui found open space before finding Chanel Harris-Tavita who got it onto Reece Walsh to cross for the first try of the contest. Penrith took a while to warm into this contest, with several stars returning the chemistry took a while to connect, as a result, plenty of attacking opportunities were left begging.
However, a team with the class of Penrith were going to crash over eventually. A significant shift out to the left sees the combination finally fire with Luai getting it onto Kikau before a great ball saw Taylan May crash over for his 15th try of the season and get the scoreboard back level. Penrith had a lion's share of possession and eventually, the Warriors cracked with their paper-thin edge defence when silky skill from Dylan Edwards and Stephen Crichton allowed Brian To'o to get down low and go go go.
Unfortunately for the Warriors, they could not hold on until the break when a big miss from Josh Curran on Sean O'Sullivan allowed him to break free and he could get it onto Edwards who found To'o for his second. On the stroke of half-time, Sean O'Sullivan found Viliame Kikau before offloading to Izack Tago who turned DWZ inside out to get it onto May who in turn found O'Sullivan to give Penrith a 16-point lead at the half.
Penrith continued their rampage straight after the break when Crichton took on the Warriors' left edge all by himself and crashed over to score to extend the margin. If you thought that try was easy, the next one was embarrassing for the visitors when O'Sullivan delivered a peach of a pass to Kikau who crashed over to score. When the Warriors had the ball, they were causing some problems and it was another great pass from Harris who found Eli Katoa to reduce the gap for the visitors. Penrith finished with a flurry when Yeo was given a penalty try after Walsh led with the footy.
Penrith sealed their twentieth victory of the season with a strong showing tonight, they've been assured of a home final for a while now, but they'll be on their way to North Queensland for Round 25. The Warriors get to go back home for the final round of the season when they take on the Titans as they prepare to usher in a new coach and a new era.