The Panthers have booked their place in the Auckland Nines Grand Final after a dominant 13-0 win over rivals Parramatta Eels.
HIGHLIGHTS: Waqa Blake double secures victory
Skipper Isaah Yeo nearly got Penrith off to the perfect start after a breakway from inside his own half but was run down by Bevan French just shy of the tryline.
The Eels then went on an onslaught looking to hit back with continuous sets on the Panthers line but couldn’t find a way through some extremely determined defence as Penrith went in to the break ahead 4-0.
The Panthers were on the back foot early after the restart with Parramatta forcing the defence back but it provide to be the Eels undoing as Malakai Watene-Zelezniak ran on to a long range kick down field to double Penrith’s lead.
After a rare chance to start a set in Eels’ territory Waqa Blake made the opposition pay once again. With some fast feet and a step he was able to cross for his second try of the game and seal the win with a faultless performance as the Panthers marched on to the Grand Final.
