Panthers comeback sinks wobbly Warriors

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Penrith Panthers v Warriors

Penrith have produced a stunning second half turnaround to down the Warriors 36-28 at Pepper Stadium this afternoon, after trailing 28-6 at halftime.

As that halftime score indicates, it was all Warriors in the first half, a seemingly disinterested Penrith defence conceding the first try when Kieran Foran crossed in the sixth minute.

Penrith's Waqa Blake was binned at the 12 minute mark for a professional foul on David Fusitua, the latter having broken away from an intercept. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was brought in late to replace Ken Maumalo and he didn't disappoint for the Warriors, grabbing their second try just minutes after his side gained a one-man advantage.

While Blake remained off the Warriors seized advantage again, Ryan Hoffman cutting through feeble Penrith defence at 17 minutes.

The away side took the foot off the gas for a little while, and the Panthers were able to strike through Isaah Yeo just before the half-hour mark, but the 16-6 margin wouldn't hold for long, Foran nailing a 40/20 for the visitors and Nicoll-Klokstad bagging his second after 33 minutes.

Another Fusitua intercept reaped a different result right on halftime, the 'Fus' outpacing Blake on this occasion to score the Warriors' fifth and deliver them a 28-6 lead going into the sheds.

The Panthers stunning form reversal began in the 47th minute, Yeo's second starting the men in black on a course to reducing the embarrassing halftime deficit. Dallin Watene Zelezniak was next to cross the stripe, the Bunker ruling there was no issue with offsides and suddenly it was only two tries the difference.

Blake joined the Panthers' comeback party next, then Matt Moylan who managed to level scores at 28-all. Nathan Cleary's conversion put the Panthers in front by two.

Penrith held the slender lead for the next fifteen minutes before Tyrone Peachey crossed to seal the mountain men's 500th first grade victory in the 76th minute, and resigned the Warriors to contemplate their fate ahead of next weekend's 'home' game in Waikato against St George Illawarra.

The Panthers meanwhile are on the M1 up to Newcastle where they'll face the Knights next Sunday.