Penrith Panthers Risk Losing Top Spot in NSW Cup After Consecutive Defeats to Warriors
Penrith Panthers are in danger of relinquishing their position at the top of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup following their second successive loss, this time a 22-10 defeat by the Warriors at North Sydney Oval on Saturday.
Both teams were missing key players, with Panthers Tyrone Peachey, Trent Toelau, Matt Eisenhuth, and Brad Schneider absent, while the Warriors were without Ben Farr, Paul Roache, and Zyon Maiu’u.
The first twenty minutes saw numerous errors and poor discipline from both sides, resulting in neither team being able to assert scoreboard pressure.
However, the Warriors capitalized on a sin-binning in the 14th minute, with hooker Makaia Tafua darting over from dummy-half to score in the 21st minute. Motu Pasikala’s conversion gave the Warriors a 6-0 lead.
The Panthers’ errors continued, and the Warriors extended their lead in the 32nd minute when centre Moala Graham-Taufa scored after a shift right on the last tackle, taking advantage of the Panthers’ defensive lapse. Despite missing the conversion, the Warriors led 10-0, losing centre Sio Kali to a serious leg injury in the process.
Just before halftime, a clever kick into the in-goal by Soni Luke seemed to set up Penrith for their first try, but centre David Fale failed to ground the ball. It was the first time in the 2024 season that the Panthers were held scoreless in the first half, trailing by 10 points.
The Panthers responded early in the second half with Ativalu Lisati crashing over next to the posts from close range, reducing the gap to four points after Billy Scott’s successful conversion in the 46th minute.
Penrith gained momentum and leveled the scores midway through the second half with a slick back-line movement that saw winger Jesse McLean score in the corner.
However, the Warriors broke the deadlock with a try from back-rower Eddie Ieremia-Toeava out wide, followed by Pasikala’s successful conversion, giving the visitors a six-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
More errors from the Panthers in their own half proved costly, and in the 74th minute makeshift fullback Pasikala scored from close range despite the attention of four Penrith defenders, sealing an important 22-10 victory for the Warriors.
Key Talking Points:
– A number of changes saw Alex Seve, Falapa Letoi, and Zach Lamont make their NSW Cup debut for the Panthers.
– The Warriors, who came into the game in sixth position, now have five wins, a draw (also against the Panthers), and four losses.
– Penrith has now suffered two consecutive defeats after starting the season with nine straight wins. This was the first time in 2024 that the Panthers were held scoreless in the first half.
– The Warriors’ victory over the Panthers is their fifth win in 18 games played.
Key Moment:
The determination of Warriors fullback Motu Pasikala to score despite the attention of at least four Penrith defenders sealed a crucial victory for the Warriors, who have now moved into the top five pending other results from Magic Round.
What’s Next?
Next Saturday, the Panthers will aim to bounce back when they face NSW Cup rivals Newtown Jets at Henson Park, while the Warriors return to North Sydney Oval next Sunday to take on the North Sydney Bears.
