Panthers Weather Raiders Fightback to Stay on Top
Game Summary
The Penrith Panthers maintained their position atop The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup ladder with a hard-fought 26-16 victory over the Canberra Raiders in Round 22, played at Parker Street Reserve.
Penrith drew first blood inside the opening 10 minutes when Blaize Talagi crossed after a slick backline movement, with Zakauri Clarke converting to open a six-point lead. The Raiders responded almost immediately through Sione Finau, finishing off a sweeping left-edge movement after a long ball from Ethan Alaia. Chevy Stewart landed the conversion to level the scores at six apiece.
The Panthers reasserted control before half-time when prop Toby Crosby crashed over from close range following a brilliant no look pass from Vea Tapa'atoutai. Clarke added the extras and Penrith led 12-6 at the break despite a Canberra penalty goal ruling confirmed just before the half-time siren, leaving the margin at six points.
Early in the second half, Clarke himself became the story, collecting a short ball on the right edge and muscling his way over the try-line to extend Penrith's advantage to 16-6 after the extras fell wide. The backrower, playing all 18 games for the club this season, was eventually forced from the field late in the contest with a wrist complaint.
The Raiders refused to capitulate, with Finau completing a double midway through the second half when he collected a quick pass and stepped inside to score in the right corner. Stuart's sideline conversion made it 20-10 and gave Canberra a fighting chance with 20 minutes remaining.
Jirah Liddiard then put the result beyond doubt, latching onto a grubber kick on the final tackle to score Penrith's fourth try and push the margin out to 14 points. The Raiders responded through Finau's hat-trick try, converted by Braydan Darmody, to close the gap to eight with 90 seconds to play.
But Penrith had the final say. A late try to Tuaomaliemavaitoelau Patea from a well-worked short-side play sealed the win, with Kurt Falls slotting the conversion to make it 26-16 at full-time.
The Panthers moved to 14 wins for the season, cementing their position as the competition's standout side.
Talking Points
- Delahia Wigmore was one of the game's most dominant performers, repeatedly running off the defensive line to disrupt the Raiders' attack and making several enormous carries. He finished the match on report for a shoulder charge in the first half.
- Jesse McLean continued his outstanding form, registering another tackle-break-heavy performance and setting up multiple attacking opportunities with his ability to find gaps at the line.
- Zakauri Clarke was a constant threat on the right edge, finishing with a try, two conversions and a string of important defensive contributions before his premature exit due to injury late in the contest.
Key Moment
With Canberra camped inside the Penrith in-goal area midway through the second half and holding a certain four-pointer, Vena Patuki-Case was held up over the try-line by desperate goal-line defense from the Panthers. The stop proved decisive, killing the Raiders' momentum at a time when the contest was still alive, and Penrith quickly worked their way downfield to extend their lead.
What's Next?
The Panthers travel across the Tasman to face the New Zealand Warriors at Go Media Stadium next Friday afternoon. The Raiders return home to GIO Stadium to face the Newcastle Knights, desperate to arrest a two straight losses ahead of the finals.
