Cleary kicks Panthers home against Storm

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Penrith Panthers v Melbourne Storm

The Penrith Panthers have recorded a rare win over the Melbourne Storm in an enthralling encounter played at Campbelltown Stadium.

Winning just two of their past 20 clashes against the Victorian powerhouse club, a brilliant kicking performance from Nathan Cleary in the final quarter saw the Panthers run out 21-14 victors.

Placing plenty of pressure on the Storm during the opening quarter, the Panthers were rewarded through Stephen Crichton (16th minute) after a beautiful cut-out pass from Jarome Luai allowed Josh Mansour to send his centre over for the first try of the evening.

Making the most of their opportunities after replacement winger Marion Seve earned a repeat set inside the Panthers' half, Cameron Munster fired a pass from close range to Felise Kaufusi (30th minute) for his first try of the season.

With the scores tied heading toward the change of ends, a Cleary penalty goal gave the Panthers a deserved, yet slender 8-6 lead.

Determined to avoid the mistakes of their loss to the Eels last week, the Panthers started the second half full of defensive vigour to repel their opponents before finishing off a right-side shift through Brian To'o (49th minute) to go beyond a converted try.

Responding through Brenko Lee (56th minute) after another phenomenal pass from Munster, a penalty goal from Cameron Smith levelled the scores at 14-all on the hour mark. 

Stepping up with the game on the line, a superb chip from Cleary landed straight in the arms of Fijian enforcer Viliame Kikau (62nd minute) to put the home side up by six.

Securing the result with four minutes remaining courtesy of a beautiful strike from Cleary, the Storm were unable to mount a comeback despite Liam Martin earning an early shower with a sin bin a minute before fulltime.

Next week, the Panthers host the Rabbitohs at Campbelltown Stadium on Thursday evening, while the Storm return to AAMI Park on Friday for an early kick-off against the Warriors.