Full Time
80:00
7:35pm Sat April 27, 2024
Round 8 - Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba - Crowd: 20960
80min

FULL TIME - Penrith hold on for a thrilling 26-20 win.

79min

The Cowboys threw everything at them but Nathan Cleary and Dylan Edwards come together to force an error from Valentine Holmes and the Panthers survive a big scare.

78min

Late drama as a bizarre last tackle option sees Scott Drinkwater chip and Nathan Cleary tackles him without the ball. Penalty. Final chance for the Cowboys, two minutes left.

76min

Dylan Edwards almost scores but some scrambling Cowboys deny him. The Panthers then butcher it on the left edge as the ball spills into touch.

74min

Mitch Kenny though now forces an error from Reuben Cotter. Penrith 20 out with another chance to go seven ahead.

74min

They do just that and Griffin Neame has it.

73min

Nathan Cleary forces a dropout. But a chance here for the Cowboys to use their height advantage on the dropout.

73min

Semi Valemei drops a Nathan Cleary bomb. Panthers 30 out.

70min

Penalty Goal: Panthers
Kicked by Nathan Cleary.

Cleary adds the extras.

Panthers lead Cowboys 20 - 26 Panthers
69min

Reece Robson collects Izack Tago high. Penalty 10 out.

69min

The Cowboys have defended well so far but concede a six again on the fourth.

68min

A crusher tackle ruled now on Thomas Mikaele and the Panthers have a chance to put this to bed.

63min

Big play from Taylan May who dives on a loose ball on an errant pass.

63min

Brian To'o drops a bomb and the Cowboys have a full set 20 out. Penrith complaining about a disruptor but can't challenge.

61min

Conversion: Cowboys
Kicked by Valentine Holmes.

Holmes slots it.

Panthers lead Cowboys 20 - 24 Panthers
60min

Try: Cowboys
Scored by Jeremiah Nanai. Kick to come.

Just too strong as Nanai crashes over next to the posts.

Panthers lead Cowboys 18 - 24 Panthers
59min

Challenge successful with a high tackle ruled.

59min

Kulikefu Finefeuiaki now drops the ball just over halfway. The Cowboys challenge it.

55min

Conversion: Cowboys
Attempted by Valentine Holmes.

To the left.

Panthers lead Cowboys 14 - 24 Panthers
54min

Try: Cowboys
Scored by Kulikefu Finefeuiaki. Kick to come.

They go down the short side and the second rower goes over.

Panthers lead Cowboys 14 - 24 Panthers
53min

Nathan Cleary's dropout doesn't go 10. Cowboys 10 out.

53min

Dropout and more pressure coming.

52min

The Cowboys are suddenly back in scoring position after a break from Kyle Feldt down the right sideline, followed by a six-again call soon after.

50min

Conversion: Cowboys
Kicked by Valentine Holmes.

Holmes sneaks it through.

Panthers lead Cowboys 10 - 24 Panthers
48min

Try: Cowboys
Scored by Valentine Holmes. Kick to come.

Holmes goes through far too easily.

Panthers lead Cowboys 8 - 24 Panthers
47min

Dylan Edwards comes down with a bomb and the ball is dislodged by Scott Drinkwater but with no challenge the Panthers can't do anything.

45min

Conversion: Panthers
Kicked by Nathan Cleary.

Cleary boots it.

Panthers lead Cowboys 4 - 24 Panthers
43min

Try: Panthers
Scored by Liam Martin. Kick to come.

Semi Valemei with a simple drop on the Nathan Cleary and Liam Martin picks up the scraps.

Panthers lead Cowboys 4 - 22 Panthers
40min

Cowboys with first use of it as the second half begins.

40min

Conversion: Panthers
Kicked by Nathan Cleary.

And it is a 14-point difference at halftime.

Panthers lead Cowboys 4 - 18 Panthers
39min

Try: Panthers
Scored by Paul Alamoti. Kick to come.

The Cowboys have a chance to strike before halftime as Brian To'o is penalised... but it is a disaster for the home side as Scott Drinkwater tries the long ball to Semi Valemei but Alamoti picks it off and runs away to score!

Panthers lead Cowboys 4 - 16 Panthers
37min

CLOSE! Jarome Luai with a beautiful short ball to Luke Garner who is over to score but it is ruled forward.

36min

Tomas Chester is out for the game with a hamstring injury.

35min

The Cowboys are penalised and gift the Panthers cheap field position... could they land a hammer blow before halftime?

34min

Conversion: Panthers
Kicked by Nathan Cleary.

Cleary makes it 12-4.

Panthers lead Cowboys 4 - 12 Panthers
33min

Try: Panthers
Scored by Dylan Edwards. Kick to come.

Edwards breaks a few tackles and is in!

Panthers lead Cowboys 4 - 10 Panthers
32min

Mitch Kenny forces an error with a brutal shot and the Panthers are 10 out.

30min

The Cowboys look to have gone over through Jeremiah Nanai off a kick but Reece Robson threw it forward to Chad Townsend out of dummy-half.

27min

Tomas Chester hobbles off and looks to be done for the day with a hamstring issue.

26min

This is self-inflicted pressure but this defensive resolve from Penrith may well win the premiers the game, especially if they score next. No points on that set for the hosts.

25min

Now Matt Eisenhuth makes an error 20 out. The Panthers are killing themselves right now and really missing Moses Leota and Scott Sorensen.

24min

Well, the Panthers have come up with some poor errors to put themselves under pressure but boy do they make up for it with their defence. First, Dylan Edwards with a spectacular try-saving tackle on Jeremiah Nanai in a one-on-one effort before three Panthers swarm to stop Reuben Cotter.

23min

Lindsay Smith with a poor error now near halfway.

22min

Jeremiah Nanai gets first grab at a kick on the last but drops it.

21min

Nathan Cleary sees space open up and takes on the line looking to offload but drops it. Cowboys ball on their 40.

19min

Well defended by NQ though as Scott Drinkwater reads the Nathan Cleary kick on the last well. Cowboys working it out from their own end.

18min

Six again conceded by NQ on the fourth tackle... that hurts. Penrith over halfway on the first.

17min

Both sides back to trading sets now with not a whole lot between them early in this game. Penrith's metres from its outside backs proving the only real difference so far.

15min

Conversion: Cowboys
Attempted by Valentine Holmes.

Stays left.

Panthers lead Cowboys 4 - 6 Panthers
14min

Try: Cowboys
Scored by Semi Valemei. Kick to come.

Penrith go short off the dropout and the Cowboys bat it back, Tom Dearden breaks a tackle and goes down the left edge and finds Semi Valemei for the try.

Panthers lead Cowboys 4 - 6 Panthers
14min

A great set in defence from Penrith but the Panthers will have to absorb more pressure as the Cowboys force a dropout.

13min

The Bunker though rules there wasn't intent to strip. Cowboys 10 out. Don't agree with that one myself but it was a close call either way.

13min

It was actually Taylan May who coughed it up and Tomas Chester looks to have stripped it.

13min

Penrith cough it up immediately but challenge the knock-on call on Mitch Kenny.

12min

Cowboys have possession as Nathan Cleary drilled his dropout towards the sideline but nothing comes of this set as Reuben Cotter drops it.

11min

An early kick but Brian To'o is onto it. Dropout incoming.

10min

Finally a penalty for the Cowboys who are in attacking territory for the first time in the game. Let's see if Penrith is just as locked in defensively.

7min

Both sides trading sets now but Penrith not giving up any cheap metres to give the Cowboys easy field position.

6min

A great end to the set after points as Taylan May perfectly times his chase to tackle Scott Drinkwater on his 20.

4min

Conversion: Panthers
Kicked by Nathan Cleary.

Absolutely perfect from the sideline.

Panthers lead Cowboys 0 - 6 Panthers
3min

Try: Panthers
Scored by Brian To'o. Kick to come.

Penrith create space out on the right wing and quick hands see Paul Alamoti, who is a late addition, charge down the sideline and he comes up just short of a try. The Panthers now spin it to the other edge and a lovely curling ball from Jarome Luai puts Brian To'o over in his 100th NRL game!

Panthers lead Cowboys 0 - 4 Panthers
2min

And a similar set for NQ who have Dylan Edwards on his 20 on the first tackle but Reuben Cotter gives away a relieving penalty.

1min

Nathan Cleary completes on the last and the Cowboys start their first set on their 20.

1min

Underway. Penrith with first use of it.

Good evening and welcome to live coverage of tonight's game between the Cowboys and Panthers.

Referees & scorers:

Referee: Kasey Badger

Touch Judges: Nick Morel, Jarrod Cole

Video Referee: Adam Gee

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (20)
Tries: Semi Valemei, Valentine Holmes, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Jeremiah Nanai
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Valentine Holmes (2/4)
Penalty Goals:

PENRITH PANTHERS (26)
Tries: Brian To'o, Dylan Edwards, Paul Alamoti, Liam Martin
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Nathan Cleary (4/4)
Penalty Goals: Nathan Cleary (1/1)