Eight for purring Panthers
Bunnies lose points, fined over forfeit
IT has been 17 years since the Panthers last recorded eight consecutive wins.
They went on to win the 2003 grand final – setting a club record winning streak in the process.
The current crop of Panthers will have a chance of bettering the record when they play the Warriors on Friday night after producing one of the most complete first-half performances in recent memory, blowing the Raiders off the park racing away to win 28-12.
It was a statement from a team that didn’t need to prove anything even if their second half produced just two penalty goals.
The 2003-Panthers started their streak in round six. As have the Ivan Cleary-coached Panthers.
Penrith had a 24-0 lead at halftime but it wasn’t just flashy brilliance. It was the defensive work of unsung heroes such as Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo that laid the platform. Penrith didn’t touch the ball for the opening seven minutes but turned last year’s grand finalists away with ease.
And when they touched the ball the combination of Nathan Cleary and Api Koroisau is proving unstoppable.
Their speedy outside backs take advantage of the space their inside men provide.
None highlighted better by a bullet Tyrone May pass to Brent Naden who tiptoed along the sideline to score in the final play of the opening half.
Canberra did everything but score in the opening exchanges. Penrith didn’t touch the ball for the first seven minutes after the Raiders controlled the ball.
Jack Wighton kicked a 40/20 in the first set of the game, before the Raiders received two line dropouts, a set restart and a penalty before the Panthers received a possession. The Panthers dropped the ball with their first set via Viliame Kikau. But Kikau redeemed himself with the opening try in the 11th minute after Cleary exposed a poor defensive read by John Bateman.
The ever impressive and understated back-rower Martin was rewarded with a huge effort play.
It was his chase of a Cleary bomb that contributed to Raiders fullback Charnze NicollKlokstad spilling the ball. Hooker Koroisau took advantage of a lazy blindside defence to lay on a try for Martin to extend the Panthers lead by 12.
Nicoll-Klokstad scored the Raiders’ two second half tries.
SOUTH Darwin forfeited its A-grade Round 6 match-up against Litchfield Bears yesterday, with lacking playing numbers among the causes.
The Rabbitohs have not enjoyed their A-grade ventures in recent weeks, suffering heavy losses to Brothers and Palmerston.
With player numbers down and volunteers short the club has struggled to put a full team together.
As a result of the forfeit South Darwin loses two competition points and is fined $500, while Litchfield has been given a 20-0 win as compensation for not playing.
NRL NT operations manager Henry Street said the forfeit was disappointing.
“It’s disappointing for the
NRL NT competition as a whole that South Darwin has forfeited at this time,” Street said.
“We’ve had a number of conversations with Souths and are trying to help build a strong playing group there but that doesn’t happen overnight.”
South Darwin and NRL NT are working on ensuring the side will play next week.