shocking acts: Penrith Panthers key player has been suspended from perticipating in all sport activities for playing a bet against…..
The Penrith Panthers risk losing their top spot in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup following their second consecutive loss, this time 22-10 against the Warriors at North Sydney Oval on Saturday.
Both teams were without key players: Tyrone Peachey, Trent Toelau, Matt Eisenhuth, and Brad Schneider for the Panthers, and Ben Farr, Paul Roache, and Zyon Maiu’u for the Warriors.
The first twenty minutes were marked by mistakes and poor discipline, preventing either team from putting pressure on the scoreboard.
However, after Luron Patea was sent to the sin bin for repeated offenses in the 14th minute, the Warriors capitalized, scoring in the 21st minute through hooker Makaia Tafua, who darted from dummy-half near the line. Motu Pasikala’s conversion gave the Warriors a 6-0 lead.
A mistake from a 20-meter restart by the Panthers allowed the Warriors to extend their lead in the 32nd minute. Opting to run on the last tackle, center Moala Graham-Taufa faked outside and fooled the Panthers’ defense with quick steps to score. Despite missing the conversion, the Warriors led 10-0, though they lost center Sio Kali to a serious leg injury.
Just before halftime, Soni Luke’s deft kick into the in-goal seemed to set up a try for the Panthers, but center David Fale couldn’t ground the ball. For the first time in the 2024 season, the Panthers were scoreless at halftime, trailing by 10 points.
The Panthers quickly scored in the second half, with Ativalu Lisati powering over next to the posts from close range after several sets inside the Warriors’ 20. Billy Scott’s conversion made it 10-6 after 46 minutes.
The Panthers continued to build momentum, tying the game midway through the second half with a smooth back-line play that ended with winger Jesse McLean diving over in the corner.
However, the Warriors broke the deadlock next, with back-rower Eddie Ieremia-Toeava scoring out wide, and Pasikala’s successful conversion put the visitors ahead by six points with 10 minutes left.
Penrith’s errors in their own half were costly, and in the 74th minute, Pasikala showed great strength to reach out and score next to the posts despite four Penrith defenders’ efforts, sealing a crucial 22-10 victory for the Warriors.
Several changes saw Alex Seve, Falapa Letoi, and Zach Lamont make their NSW Cup debuts for the Panthers. The Warriors, coming into the game in sixth place, now have six wins, a draw (against the Panthers), and four losses. This is the first time in the 2024 season that the Panthers have been scoreless in the first half. The Warriors’ victory is their fifth in 18 games against the Panthers.
Warriors fullback Motu Pasikala’s effort to score despite the attention of at least four Penrith defenders was crucial, sealing a significant win that moved the Warriors into the top five, pending other results from Magic Round.
The Panthers will aim to bounce back against the Newtown Jets at Henson Park next Saturday, while the Warriors will face the North Sydney Bears at North Sydney Oval next Sunday.