Penrith prevail to continue dominance over Cronulla

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Penrith Panthers v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

A clinical performance from Nathan Cleary has seen the Penrith Panthers come away with a 26-6 victory over the Cronulla Sharks in Bathurst.

Having a hand in multiple tries, scoring one of his own and dictating terms with a precision kicking game, the Penrith co-captain was at his vintage best as the victors extended their record over the Sharks to nine wins from ten matches throughout the 2020s.

The win was the Panthers' seventh from 12 visits to Carrington Park since 2014, much to the delight of a sold-out crowd.

Making an immediate statement with a momentum-shifting 40/20 from Cleary, the Panthers took advantage of their fortuitous field position through Brian To'o (6th minute), who finished off a right-side shift for first points.

With the hosts holding a slender 6-0 lead for much of a closely matched opening half, a penalty late in the half paved the way for Tom Jenkins (35th minute) to score, after the Panthers went from sideline to sideline with a series of well-worked passes to give the winger his third try in two matches.

The Panthers struck a pivotal blow only seconds out from halftime when Billy Burns stripped the ball from Luke Garner's grasp, allowing Cleary (39th minute) to swoop on the loose ball close to the try line to establish an 18-0 lead.

Continuing the one-way flow of points following the resumption with Jenkins (44th minute) running onto a pass from Casey McLean to collect his second, the Panthers left edge duo appeared to reverse their roles minutes later only for the bunker to rule Jenkins impeded the Sharks' defence from contesting a kick.

The Sharks managed to finally penetrate the Panthers' defence midway through the second half when Sione Katoa (57th minute) ran onto a pass provided by Bathurst junior Will Kennedy out wide.

Dylan Edwards was unable to get his name on the scoreboard with the bunker ruling a double movement against the fullback, while a late penalty goal from Cleary rounded out a comprehensive 26-6 result.

Next week, the Panthers will face the Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Friday night, while the Sharks will return to Ocean Protect Stadium for a Saturday night clash with the Dolphins.