The Penrith Panthers have gone to the top of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup ladder after a convincing 22-6 win over Sydney Roosters at Wentworth Oval on Sunday.
The visitors set up the win with a dominant first half performance, scoring four tries to one for a 22-6 lead at the break before the Roosters went point-for-point with the Panthers in the second half.
Mavrik Geyer (making his NFL debut), Riley Price (injured), and Preston Riki (suspended) were all out for the Panthers, but coach Ben Harden made a brilliant decision by starting Daine Laurie at fullback and benching Isaiah Iongi. Laurie scored two linebreaks and assisted on a try in the first forty minutes of play. The return of five-eighth Jack Cole from injury was also well-received by the visitors.
The Panthers started the game with a bang, scoring a slick backline try in the third minute through Cole before doubling their lead in the ninth minute, when skipper Tyrone Peachey ran onto a short ball from hooker Soni Luke to reach out and score from close range.
After 15 minutes, the lead was down to six points thanks to a show and go close to the line by Roosters fullback Harry McKeon, who took advantage of a mistake made by the Panthers on the subsequent kickoff. In the 26th minute, Laurie’s quick hands to the right allowed him to put winger Jesse McLean over in the northwest corner, giving the Panthers a comfortable 10-point lead even though Alamoti’s attempt at a conversion hit the post from the sideline.
Trent Toelau of Penrith scored next to the posts after running onto a ball from Soni Luke, giving Penrith a commanding 22-6 lead at halftime. The Panthers’ ability to convert possession into points late in the half proved telling.
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