More grim viewing as Penrith puts Warriors to sword NRL
The scores
Panthers ...................................... 46 (Taylan May 2, Brian To'o 2, Sean O'Sullivan, Stephen Crichton, Viliame Kikau, Isaah Yeo tries; Crichton 7 cons)
Warriors ...................................... 12 (Reece Walsh, Eliesa Katoa tries; Walsh 2 cons)
Halftime: 226
AUCKLAND: Thank goodness this Warriors season is nearly over.
This was a much better effort than last week's humiliation in Townsville, but still a tough watch at times.
The Warriors leaked eight tries in the 4612 defeat last night, for yet another heavy loss.
After a competitive opening, where the Warriors took an early lead then restricted the home side to just two tries in the first 35 minutes, the pressure told from there.
Nobody expected the Warriors to get close to this Panthers machine that has lost just three games all season, but the Auckland team at least showed stomach for the fight.
Against most predictions, the Warriors began well.
Penrith was slightly off early — with four handling errors in the first quarter — but the visitors were full of aggression and energy, and defended well.
They took a deserved lead in the second minute, with Walsh finishing off a long range attack, helped by smart ball work by Harris.
Penrith slowly began to find its groove, but encountered willing defenders.
The Warriors attack was not particularly smooth but there were further chances, with WateneZelezniak going close from a Johnson bomb and Walsh close to snaring a grubber.
After 35 minutes, the half was evenly poised at 126, after tries to Taylan May and Brian To'o had got things going for the Panthers, before everything turned in the blink of an eye.
Penrith marched upfield, with To'o powering across a few plays later.
The Warriors pain was quickly exacerbated. They kicked off with a minute to play in the half, but some short side magic saw the Panthers cross again through Sean O'Sullivan.
The early stages of the second period continued the pattern, with tries to Stephen Crichton and Viliame Kikau, to set up a daunting final 25 minutes.
But the Warriors showed some starch, with Katoa running off a lovely Harris pass to score, after Walsh had created an opening, and stemmed the tide for a while.
May grabbed his second in the 64th minute, before the bunker granted Isaah Yeo a late penalty try. —