The Penrith Panthers ran out 40-20 winners over the Melbourne Storm in a high-scoring Round 25 clash in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.
Melbourne struck first, racing to a 12-0 lead inside the opening quarter through tries to both wingers Manaia Waitere and Alize Clarke, and converted by Trent Toelau. The Panthers found their footing through captain Kalani Leuluai-Going, whose first try of the afternoon came from a well-worked cut-out ball off the back of a sharp Kurt Falls kicking game, cutting the deficit to 12-6.
The Storm continued to trouble the Penrith line, with Waitere grabbing his second try to push the lead to 16-6, but the Panthers hit back through Vea Tapa'atoutai, who benefited from good ball movement out wide. Zakauri Clarke's boot kept the Panthers within striking distance before Leuluai-Going bagged his second, levelling the scores at 16-all, and a Clarke conversion edged Penrith in front for the first time, 18-16.
A well-taken try to leaping winger Jirah Liddiard, set up by a clever cross-field kick from Falls, extended the margin to six points, and despite a missed conversion, the Panthers went to the half-time break leading 22-16.
The second half opened with a Storm try-line break, Clarke crossing again to trim the margin to 22-20, but the Panthers were relentless from there. Luron Patea pounced on a loose ball for an opportunistic try to make it 26-20, and Clarke's conversion stretched the lead to eight points as the Storm's discipline began to waver under pressure.
Front-rower Tom Ale punched over from close range to push the score to 34-20, before Patrick Moimoi capped a barnstorming display with a try in the closing stages, bouncing out of multiple tackle-breaks to seal the result at 40-20.
Talking Points
- Kalani Leuluai-Going double continues an outstanding individual season, as he remains a genuine point of difference for Penrith.
- Melbourne's outside backs, particularly Waitere and Clarke, were a constant threat in attack, but the Storm's go-forward through the middle faded badly after half-time.
- Ill-discipline crept into the contest after the break, with several players placed on report and one sin-binning shaping the momentum of the match.
Key Moment
Luron Patea’s opportunistic try after half-time, pouncing on a loose ball to make it 26-20, snuffed out any hope of a Melbourne fightback and swung control of the match firmly back to the Panthers.
What's Next?
Both sides have one regular-season game remaining before finals. Penrith will continue to push for the minor premiership and a crucial week off when they face the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, while Melbourne will look to close out their maiden NSW Cup campaign on a high note against the North Sydney Bears.
