Panthers capture title

Minor celebrations after Cowboys capitulation

THE J.J. Giltinan Shield is heading to the foot of the mountains after Penrith secured the minor premiership last night with a dominant 32-12 victory against North Queensland.

It’s the third time the Panthers have been crowned minor premiers since the Shield was introduced in 1951 - having finished first in 1991 and 2003.

Last night’s victory extended Penrith’s winning streak to 14 games.

It took only four minutes for the Panthers to open their account last night with winger Brian To’o diving over in the right hand corner.

Minutes later behemoth forward Viliame Kikau beat three tackles to send try scoring machine, Stephen Critchon, over for his 15th try of the year. Crichton’s athletic ability helped keep a short kick off in play for his side to then travel 90 metres up field with Jarome Laui putting his name to one of the better end-to-end tries of the season.

Centre Brent Naden put the result beyond doubt with a try in the 68th minute on the back of a break from Nathan Cleary.

Coach Ivan Cleary’s men have found their mojo in attack in season 2020 and have averaged almost 26 points a game - their best attacking season in 10 years.

While Nathan Cleary might be on track to overcoming a six point deduction to claim this year’s Dally M medal, the halfback insisted the Panthers aren’t a one-man team.

Last night, his 16 other teammates backed the halfback’s claim.

Cleary’s halves partner fiveeighth Jerome Laui extended his try assist tally to 17.

The Cowboys were tackled 26 times in Penrith’s red zone before finally cracking the try line in the 62nd minute. It was the first try the Panthers have conceded since the 65th minute in round 17. The confident outfit is tracking towards their best ever defensive season since the club’s first title in 1991, conceding only 12.6 per game this year.

Cowboys stalwart and forward Gavin Cooper notched up 322 games last night in what was his final home game in North Queensland colours. Fittingly he helped set-up the side’s first try to winger Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in the second half.