Panthers leave Wahs in tears with finals masterclass

Embed from Getty Images

Penrith Panthers v Warriors

The Penrith Panthers are 80 minutes away from the opportunity to defend their title after punishing an error-prone New Zealand Warriors with a 32-6 victory on Saturday afternoon.

Getting out to an early lead and making the most of repeated opportunities to use the ball in attack, the defending premiers confirmed a place in the preliminary final for the fourth consecutive season to the delight of a sold-out crowd.

Posting an eighth consecutive victory against their opponents, the reigning premiers were well served by their biggest names with captain Nathan Cleary producing a personal tally of 16 points.

The home side wasted little time in asserting their dominance with Brian To'o (4th minute) finishing off an early opportunity provided after Marcelo Montoya dropped a bomb inside his own half.

Surviving a scare moments later when stand-in halfback Dylan Walker was denied a try in response due to Adam Pompey obstructing Luke Garner in the lead up, the Panthers made their opponents pay for further errors with Cleary sending Liam Martin (20th minute) into space to establish a double-digit lead.

Continuing the one-way flow of points after a poor last-tackle kick from Tohu Harris was compounded by Rocco Berry's failed intercept attempt, a left-side shift saw Sunia Turuva (27th minute) dive over for his tenth try of the season.

The Warriors managed to repel several sets in succession on their own line late in the half, however a penalty goal to Cleary as the siren sounded saw the Panthers take a 20-0 halftime lead.

Needing to be first to score to have any chance of mounting a comeback, the Warriors weathered pressure after the resumption and were rewarded with Penrith alumni Wayde Egan (56th minute) supporting a long-range break by Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

Securing the result after an inconclusive captain's challenge gave the Panthers an attacking scrum 30 metres out from the try line, Turuva (62nd minute) finished off a left-side sweep before Cleary (72nd minute) did it all himself with a solo effort.

The 32-6 result - a record margin in finals football for Penrith - was the third time the Panthers prevailed over the Warriors in finals football following victories in 2003 and 2018.

Next week, the Warriors will return to New Zealand to host the winner of the Elimination Final between the Knights and Raiders, while the Panthers will rest up ahead of a Preliminary Final.