The Panthers NSW Cup side has had a rough day on the park, going down 24-8 to Newtown on a cloudy day at Pepper Stadium in Penrith.
Here’s how the game unfolded.
Newtown were the first to notch up points when Sami Sauluma caught a no-look pass from the inside and raced away from 10 metres out to plant the ball down in the corner. Nathan Gardner missed the conversion and the Jets took a 4-0 lead.
The Jets backed that up with another try in the 23rd minute with Jack Bird splitting the Penrith defence with a swerving run down the touchline. Gardner’s conversion was unsuccessful and the Jets were in front 8-0.
The Panthers suffered a blow in the 27th minute when Adam Docker was sent off for a shoulder charge on Jets fullback Nathan Gardner. The rest of the half saw the ball bounce from one end to the other with no result on the board.
HALF-TIME: 8-0 JETS
The Panthers got off to a great second half start when Robert Jennings scored a try on the back of some brilliant catch and pass football from left to right in the 48th minute Will Smith missed the conversion and the Jets maintained their 8-4 lead.
In the 59th minute Newtown extended their lead with Todd Murphy diving over the line after the Jets right side attack brushed their way past Penrith defenders with textbook catch and pass Rugby League. Murphy couldn’t convert his own try and the Jets led 12-4.
Penrith were still alive in the contest in the 67th minute when Nu’u Akeripa charged at the line, offloaded the ball to Paul Simona who stepped inside and barged his way over to score with Jets defenders hanging off him. Api Koroisau’s conversion was unsuccessful and the Jets kept a 12-8 lead.
Will Smith’s night came to an early end when he was sent from the field after blocking a Jets player in the in-goal area. The referee saw the play as a try scoring opportunity and a penalty was awarded 10 metres out from the Panthers line.
The away side took advantage of Penrith’s 12 man defence with Saulala Houma crashing over the line past Panthers defenders to score in the 72nd minute. Murphy kicked the goal and the Jets were in front 18-8.
Newtown found the line again in the 75th minute when Sauluma got on the end of a grubber kick from Todd Murphy to score an easy try. Murphy’s conversion was successful and Newtown took a 24-8 lead.
The Panthers threw everything they had at Newtown in the final 5 minutes but couldn’t come up with any extra points, so the Sydney side walked away with the win.u
FULL-TIME: 24-8 Newtown.
