Maloney masterclass gets Panthers home

A SECOND-HALF exhibition from James Maloney has steered Penrith to a 29-18 win over Newcastle to consolidate a spot in the NRL top four.

Penrith was leading 18-6 last night when Kalyn Ponga gave the Knights some hope by converting their sixth-straight set on the Panthers’ line in the 54th minute. But some expert game management from Maloney wrenched the momentum back in the Panthers’ favour when he nailed a field goal and penalty goal within eight minutes.

The NSW State of Origin star sealed the win in front of a crowd of 14,801 at McDonald Jones Stadium by kicking for Corey Harawira-Naera in the 71st minute and adding another late penalty goal.

Knights centre Nathan Ross scored a consolation try but it wasn’t enough as the Knights — again led by another fine display from Ponga — missed a chance to move into the top eight.

The turning point came in the 33rd minute when, with the Knights down by six, Lachlan Fitzgibbon broke into the backfield and found Connor Watson, whose pass for Brock Lamb hit the grass. It was pounced on by Tyrone Peachey, who made it a 12-point turnaround by hitting Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to give the visitors a two-try lead.

It came moments after a Watson brain snap denied Daniel Saifiti a try that also would’ve levelled the scores, after being penalised for taking out the marker in the ruck.

Penrith earlier raced to a 12-0 lead thanks to two soft tries to Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Peachey. PENRITH 29 (Campbell-Gillard, Harawira-Naera, Peachey, Watene-Zelezniak tries, Maloney 6 goals, Maloney field goal) d NEWCASTLE 18 (Ponga, Ross, Watson tries, Lamb 2, Sio goals) at McDonald Jones Stadium. Crowd: 14,801.