Sloppy Panthers steal an ugly win

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Gold Coast Titans v Penrith Panthers

Penrith turned out one of their worst performances of the year against the Titans, but again scored two late tries in quick succession to send them game into golden point, where Nathan Cleary kicked the match-winning field goal.

The Titans got out of the blocks fast to start the game, when Ryan James took a crash ball up the middle and reached out to score an impressive try after just 3 minutes. Taylor converted.

Ten minutes later, Penrith hit back when Campbell-Gillard put Cleary through a gap, who then passed back to RCG. He ran downfield before offloading. The pass hit the deck, but Peachey picked it up and sent the ball out to Blake who scored a good try in the left corner. Cleary nailed the sideline conversion.

The following twenty minutes was decimated by knock-ons, penalties and all-round sloppy and panicky play by both sides. With 6 minutes remaining in the half, Hetherington was sent to the sin bin after a high tackle and the Panthers having being warned about repeated infringements.

After the break, the Titans again scored first and early, when a lovely pass by Taylor back to the right side found Elgey, who drew the defender before passing to Sami, who strolled over for an easy try. Taylor failed to convert.

Right on the hour mark, Penrith were on the attack when Maloney threw a cut out pass which was intercepted by Don, who ran 90 metres to score. Elgey added the extras.

With just 6 minutes left in the game, Whare made a break through some weak edge defence and then linked with Cleary who scored a good supporting try, which he also converted.

With just 16 seconds left in the game, Kikau very nearly broke through the line, but still managed to offload to Blake, who juggled the pass before sending Watene-Zelezniak over for the try to level the scores. Cleary failed to convert.

In Golden Point, Cleary and Taylor both missed long range field goal attempts, but Cleary nailed his second attempt in the 84th minute to give his side the win.