Panthers spoil Melbourne’s party
THE Penrith Panthers made the most of an understrength Melbourne last night, scoring a 22- 16 win that puts them in the box seat for a home final.
Going without a win in Melbourne since 2005, the Panthers sealed their win with back- to- back tries from Waqa Blake and Christian Chrichton late in the second stanza, but endured a nervous finish thanks to a late try from Storm replacement halfback Scott Drinkwater.
Last night also handed Penrith’s interim head coach Cameron Ciraldo his second win since taking over from Anthony Griffin.
The Storm were forced to make four changes to his starting side, the most notable of those was losing three members of his spine in Cameron Munster and Brodie Croft ( knee injuries) and Billy Slater ( personal reasons). Former Townsville Blackhawks star Jahrome Hughes went to fullback from the bench, Ryley Jacks slotted in at five- eight and Drinkwater at No. 7.
The sides traded a try each in the opening half, with Penrith’s Josh Mansour crossing in the 13th minute Felise Kaufusi 10 minutes later for Storm. But the home side’s 10- 6 lead came off the boot of Cameron Smith successfully kicking penalties.
A disallowed try to stand- in Melbourne half Drinkwater early in the second half kept the scoreboard close. A second try to Mansour ( 45th minute) levelled scores 10- 10 after Nathan Cleary’s conversion attempt shaved the right upright.