Andrew Pelechaty reviews Penrith’s comfortable win over Melbourne.
Result
Penrith Panthers 26
Tries: (4) Brian To’o 23rd, 50th; Jarome Luai 27th; Stephen Crichton 37th
Goals: (5) Nathan Cleary 9th, 28th, 35th, 39th, 51st
Melbourne Storm 6
Tries: (1) Young Tonumaipea 15th
Goals: Nick Meaney 12th
Report
This blockbuster top four clash started with two penalty goals in the opening 12 minutes: one to Nathan Cleary and one to Nick Meaney.
Melbourne scored the first try when Young Tonumaipea kicked ahead from halfway, George Jennings dived on the ball 15 metres out, and Tonumaipea ran from dummy half to score. While Meaney missed the conversion, Melbourne still led 6-2.
There was drama when a Melbourne trainer was sent from the field. And Jennings’ night ended early with injury.
Penrith quickly took advantage, with Brian To’o scoring in the right corner as the Panthers spread the footy. Cleary missed the conversion as the score was locked at 6-6.
Penrith made it two tries in four minutes when Jarome Luai scored after the Panthers capitalised on a Melbourne error. Cleary converted for a 12-6 lead.
Penrith pushed further ahead with a Cleary penalty goal.
Stephen Crichton gave Penrith an 18-6 lead as he scored in the left corner, with Cleary throwing a nice basketball pass for Chrichton. Cleary then converted for an 20-6 lead at half-time.
To’o scored his second try 10 minutes into the second half as Penrith sealed the game.
While Penrith were 20 in front, there was still spice in the contest, with a couple of scuffles emerging.
Melbourne tried their best to get back into the game, but bombed a few try-scoring chances, with Penrith’s defence unbreakable.
The win puts Penrith two points ahead of Brisbane in the minor premiership race (with the Broncos playing North Queensland tomorrow). Melbourne stays in fourth for now, but the gap between them and the rest of the top eight has closed. A big home game against Canberra (who’ve won five straight at AAMI Park) awaits next Sunday.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
Embed from Getty Images3 – Nathan Cleary (Panthers)
2 – Isaah Yeo (Panthers)
1 – Brian To’o (Panthers)
