Clinical Panthers too strong for valiant but ill-disciplined Cowboys

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Penrith Panthers v North Queensland Cowboys

The Penrith Panthers have brought the North Queensland Cowboys' six-game winning streak to a grinding halt in Penrith, shutting them out in a 22-point victory at the foot of the mountains.

The home side repelled an early attacking raid from the Cowboys and then went up the field courtesy of a relieving penalty to score on their first trip to the red-zone. Apisai Koroisau ran from dummy half and drew in the A defender before putting Isaah Yeo through a hole much bigger than he needed to get to the line, the in-form lock scoring the opener. 

The Cowboys produced an inspired defensive effort over the next 10-15 minutes, keeping the Panthers out of the in-goal area for at least 5 consecutive attacking sets. After Luai's kick went dead, they had the golden opportunity to go up the other end and make a game of it, but Dearden responded by giving the Panthers a 7 tackle set of their own, and they weren't going to be denied again, with Luai and May combining down the left edge before Edwards picked up a loose ball to score and make it a 12-0 scoreline. 

The Panthers looked as if they may start running away with it after they converted a Tom Gilbert knock on into another try courtesy of a slick shift to the right involving Cleary, Edwards and To'o, the latter scoring his first try of season 2022. 

Considering the stats, the Cowboys had done well to only head into the sheds down 16, with the home team having a mammoth 66% of possession at the break. 

The second half was a relatively even contest, both sides looked threatening in parts but both defences continued to do the job. 

Through the first 68 minutes, the Cowboys had only completed 59% of their sets. It's an endorsement of their defence that they were able to stem the flow of points from the Panthers while gifting them that much possession and field position. 

Penrith finally got on the board in the second 40 through a brilliant right to left cutout pass from Jarome Luai to Taylan May, who did well to beat Peta Hiku on his way to the line. 

That was all she wrote in this top four encounter, with the Panthers moving to 11-1 for the year while the Cowboys will still be in the top four at the end of the round with a record of 8-4.

Next week, the Panthers will take on the Bulldogs at home on Friday Night, while the Cowboys will travel to the Gold Coast for a Thursday Night showdown against the Titans.