Eels Jersey Flegg squad
1. Haze Dunster
2. Michael Cheer
3. Tuimavave Afualo
4. Noel Aukafolau
5. Taufa Afu
6. Joseph Taipari
7. Dylan Brown
8. Sean Keppie
9. Jaydn Field
10. Oregon Kaufusi
11. Nick Oklandnikov
12. Dylan Clifford
13. Michael Tupou
Interchange
14. Jesse Cronin
15. Sam McGregor
16. Beni Valu
17. Austin Dias
18. James Porter
19. William Kei

 

Late Mail

TBC – No clue here unfortunately as the club hasn’t published anything

 

First Half

 

The Eels receive the ball and get underway with a good carry to Oregon Kaufusi. A rock solid drive by the forwards takes them well over halfway before a stabbing kick from Dylan Brown and a terrific chase smash the Panthers back in goals!

Working from right to left this set. Haze Dunster tries to chime in down the left and ends up running it himself for a decent gain. Sean Keppie centres it to the posts. We play wide right from Brown to Dunster to Michael Cheer but the young winger is barely pushed into touch as he tries to touch the ball down in the corner.

First penalty of the game is blown for Penrith two tackles later as the Eels are pinged for getting up too quickly.

Penrith build for a big right edge shift but are repelled stoutly but alas on the next tackle the cross field bomb is left uncontested and the Panthers leap up, secure the ball and dive over in a bizarrely soft opening try.

 

Try scored by the Penrith Panthers. Conversion successful.

Penrith lead 6-0

6min gone

 

Solid set after points for Penrith. They complete the possession with a stab kick that Dunster picks up on the first bounce. A bit of second phase play between Afualo and Oklandnikov takes the Eels to halfway and a swirling bomb is left to bounce by the Panthers! Oh my! It takes a wicked bounce to the in goals and a huge chase and tackle from Noel Aukafolau results in a line drop out!

Batted pass from the Panthers so a reset on the tackle count for the Eels. Joe Taipari looks like he has hurt himself though. From left to right for the Eels as play goes on without Taipari. Brown rolls it in behind the right edge and it bounces up perfectly for Oklandnikov but he has lost it in the contact at the line! Big chance goes begging there!

Penrith work downfield with the aid of the 7 tackle set but can’t position for a good attacking kick and Dunster easily eats up their bomb. A penalty follows for the Eels as the Panthers get over eager off the onside mark.

Oklandnikov is up first before a big shift to the left that sees Dylan Clifford draw a penalty for a flop. Big of momentum for Parra now. Tap from Noel to Clifford but some loose hands on the second tackle lead to an incomplete set and another butchered chance.

Gee that is a soft penalty for a high shot there. Looked like it bounced up off the shoulder and over the head. It piggy backs Penrith to halfway though.

From right to left for the home team early in this set.

Big tackle from Taufa Afu as he aids his centre in Noel Aukafolau. The Panthers earn a repeat set with a very neat grubber kick back to the post that has to be batted dead.

Apologies for some technical difficulties on my end. The Eels survive the raid from Penrith and end up seemingly forcing an error from the Penrith custodian from their attacking bomb but the call is quickly over turned due to an offside chaser. Some ill-discipline creeping into the game for the Eels.

A big break by the Panthers down our right edge. Michael Cheer makes a sensational cover tackle to save a sure try but we are desperately short down our left edge as a result and the Panthers eventually get to a crossfield kick that barely clears the finger tips of Noel Aukafolau. Still, Penrith make it a two score lead now as the Eels prove to be their own worst enemies.

 

Try scored by the Penrith Panthers. Conversion unsuccessful.

Penrith lead 10-0

23min gone

 

An error from Penrith coming out of their half now, can the Eels make anything from it?

 

Stacked left edge from the scrum win but it ends up with Taipari who dummies and nearly slides through. Right now via the forwards as Keppie and Valu take runs. Brown goes left to Taipari who uses Dunster. Perhaps the fullback had a chance to pass but it was hard to tell as he goes himself and is held up over the line. The crossfield bomb is contested by the Eels, was that a flying Cheer? He can’t bring it in and it is regathered by the Panthers.

But another error from Penrith two tackles later! The Eels HAVE To make them pay for these lapses in concentration.

Short ball form Brown to Aukafolau. Very well defended there. Brown is caught running it on the next tackle and the Eels fail to produce a repeat set with their right side grubber kick. The fluency isn’t quite there today it seems.

ANOTHER error from Penrith. This is unbelievable from Penrith but we are not pressuring them enough.

Left to Noel from the scrum and he draws a penalty for a hand on the ball. Tap and go to Kaufusi. Another penalty! Tap and go from Jaydn Field and he is over! No! The ref doesn’t let it stand even though he was 11m out and on the mark! Big call there.

Tap and to the right instead. Dylan Brown lines up wide on that edge and runs it to the line. Incisive stuff! He has cut through between centre and backrower and carried two defenders over to score! Finally the Eels punish Penrith for a terrible completion rate.

 

Try scored by Dylan Brown. Conversion successful by Dylan Brown.

Eels trail 6-10

31min gone

 

Oklandnikov fields the kick and throws a late offload to Kaufusi. Good metres there. Afualo and Clifford have the next carries before Taipari is barely pulled down on a short side raid. Back to Taipari on the last and he heaves it up high. Freshly injected from the bench is Austin Dias and he is flying through in pursuit! He leaps up and seems to have it but he is clipped in the air by the fullback and flips over, losing the ball! Damn shame as that was a stellar effort.

A solid set from Penrith concludes with an error from Cheer under the high ball. He has two chasers right in his face there and looked quite uncomfortable. Big chance for Penrith to reestablish their lead with a minute to go.

Penrith work left to right to left but the Eels stand firm until an errant pass hits the ground and as you so often see, causes the defence to freeze. Penrith didn’t have an in until that moment but the hesitation caused from the bouncing ball lets their centre offload to his right winger who burrows between the cover defenders to score on the stroke of half time.

 

Try scored by the Penrith Panthers. Conversion unsuccessful.

Penrith lead 14-6

 

Haltime

Penrith Panthers 14 lead Parramatta Eels 6

 

Second Half

 

The Eels kick off the second half. Solid sets for both teams both offensively and defensively. Dylan Brown nearly steps through the line in his first possession of the half but is just tackled and a terrific kick from Taipari pins the Panthers on their goal line at the completion of the set.

Very good defensive set from the Eels now. It forces a rushed kick from the Panthers and Dunster regains possession 10m short of half way. Scratch that as we turn the ball over immediately. Geez that was loose from Cheer I believe.

Penrith inch their way down their left edge but time is blown off as they traverse off the mark. Plenty of second phase ball from the resumption of play but the Eels hold on and on the next tackle some sensational footwork from Taipari saves a near certain line drop out as he sashes back to clean up a grubber kick and then dances a good 25m to his right to get back into the field of play.

The Eels muster their forwards down their left edge and smash the ball out to halfway but once again thy fail to complete their set and Penrith make them pay this time around. Really soft try as our left edge stands off the right edge backrower for Penrith allowing him to straighten up between two defenders and crash over out wide. Incompletions the bane of the Flegg team at the moment.

 

Try scored by the Penrith Panthers. Conversion unsuccessful.

Penrith lead 18-6

42min gone

 

The rare case of one touchy raising the flag and one waving it away there. It looks like the conversion doesn’t count with the scoreboard reading 18 points for the home team.

Good set after points for Penrith as they work their way into position for an attacking bomb. Dunster is out-leaped for the ball but a bruising shot from Noel Aukafolau in cover defence forces the error!

Good run from Beni Valu there. The Eels work it left from that run and are met equally by the Panthers so back to the middle it is to set up for the last. Brown sends it up high but it is well taken by the Penrith fullback.

Ooph, Austin Dias has reeled out of an attempted tackle there. Is that a problem with his neck? Time is quickly called off as he writhes in pain and the trainers race out. Knock on wood for the young man. Oh no, the stretcher is coming out but maybe it is just precautionary? Dias is sitting up now and then climbs to his feet and is aided off. Best wishes, mate.

Oh that is just desperately unlucky for the Eels. A big charge down leads to a mad 30m dash for the ball as it flies back to the Penrith goal line. Taipari and one of Parra’s big men give hot pursuit but they are barely beaten to the bounce. Incidentally, I am not a fan of chargedowns resetting the tackle count!

And there is that terrible completion rate rearing its ugly head again. After forcing the Panthers to kick from well inside their own half the Eels have coughed up the ball coming over half way yet again. Honestly just killing themselves here today, like the SG Ball cohorts in recent times.

At least Penrith have also indulged in the dropsies as they spill the ball on halfway.

Aukafolau and Clifford take the early carries this set. Right from Taipari to Brown who runs to the line. Field takes them on before Kaufusi plays to Tupou in front of the posts. He is taken in a must-make tackle but the Eels are lined up to the right on the next play. Early ball to Afualo who tries to step off his left and flick and offload to Cheer but it batted down. Fresh set for the Eels.

Big left edge set piece that goes all the way out to Afu who is tackled in a 1-on-1. Lack of patience perhaps now from the Eels as they are left chasing points. Another set move to the right edge with Afualo acting as the wide pivot as he turns to link up with a looping Brown. Brown pulls the trigger on the pass to Cheer but it really wasn’t on and the winger drops the ball over the line with no other real course of action left to him.

Big play from Dylan Clifford in the next set! 1-on-1 strip and a penalty is earned by Afualo on the next play. Parra back on the attack in two quick plays. Short ball to Tupou from Brown. Left to Taipari who turns it inside to flying Dunster but he is pulled down by his bootlaces! Kaufusi steams to the goal line before Brown earns a drop out off the boot. A bit of pressure built here but can Parra convert it into points?

Good runs from Kaufusi and Keppie to start the set before Jesse Cronin, the backrower come hooker, sparks the Eels with a short ball to Keppie in front of the posts! The rangy prop crashes over and the Eels are finally back into the contest!

 

Try scored by Sean Keppie. Conversion successful by Dylan Brown.

Parra trail 12-18

55min gone

 

Huge run from Tupou off the kickoff! Plows into the defensive line. Oklandnikov follows up with a good run that earns a penalty for a leg hold, Parra working with some momentum here!

Brown plays it back to Oklandnikov from the tap restart. Left to Keppie on the second tackle. Good run again by the young prop. Back right with Taipari to Brown to Dunster to Afualo. Tui beats the first man and keeps going until he is pulled down 4m short of the line.

Wide and to the left for the Eels now. Brown straightens the movement up and rifles off a gorgeous pass to Taipari who links up with Dunster. The makeshift fullback dummies to Afu and goes himself, rolling through contact to somehow get the ball down out wide! Here we go Parra!

The halves have really come into the game now and the change in application from the team is visible.

 

Try scored by Haze Dunster. Conversion successful by Dylan Brown.

Parra lock the score up at 18-all

60min gone

 

Ah shucks, the Eels get caught running too upright from the kick off. Cheer I think it was. He actually was a good 8 or 9m infield but the Panthers caught him standing up and drove him all the way into touch. Big chance to break the dead lock now.

Good defence from Oklandnikov as he carefully watches the inside option near the posts. Penrith take it from left to right and roll it in goals where Dunster is trapped after a hearty effort to get back into the field of play.

Good tackle from Brown as he makes an important 1-on-1 down the right edge but it all comes unstuck off the attacking kick to the posts. The Panthers roll it in and it is the big man Keppie that butchers the clean up job. He has it for all money as it takes a kind bounce but he lets it squirt up out of his grasp and the Penrith chaser pounces to score under the black dot.

 

Try scored by the Penrith Panthers. Conversion successful.

Penrith lead 24-18

64min gone

 

Simple but effective set from the Panthers after points. They ruck it up over halfway and bomb it towards Dunster. He does superbly well to take the ball and weather a hard shot before nearly splitting the chasers! It takes a last ditch tackle to stop him. Down the left edge for the Eels as they work it into Penrith’s half. Brown carries three defenders for a good 6m down the right in a show of shocking strength from the young half.

Parra complete their set with a bomb to the right edge of the Panthers but it is well taken under pressure.

OOOPH, solid hit from Afualo there. He has come infield hunting for a forward to belt.

Spectacular kick return from Dunster now as he shimmies his way down the left edge for a 30m gain! Parra have swung the tables on Penrith here but it comes unstuck when Taipari drops it cold! Oh no! He was thinking about the pass before he had the ball there. What a wasted chance!

The Eels might get one last shot to square up the scoreboard but no, an errant effort on the kick pressure means Penrith draw a penalty from their last possession with under a minute on the clock. Sam McGregor the culprit I think. Penrith take their sweet time to choose to take a shot at goal and time bleeds out.

 

Penalty conversion attempt successful by Penrith.

 

Full Time

 

Penrith Panthers 26 defeat Parramatta Eels 18

 

 

Wentworthville Magpies ISP squad
1. Anthony Layoun
2. Atini Gafa
3. Dane Aukafolau
4. Nathan Davis
5. Eddie Aiono
6. Kauri Appouri
7. Zach Nicholls
8. Magnus Stromquist
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Piki Rogers
11. Matt Woods
12. Haimona Hitori
13. Ray Stone
Interchange
14. Sam Gorman
15. Andy Saunders
16. Nick Kassis
17. Daniel Dole
18. Brad Deitz
19. Dylan Izzard
20. Jack Morris

 

Late Mail

David Gower comes into the team on the edge. No Kaysa Pritchard so Reed Mahoney will hold onto the starting rake position. Andy Saunders will start.

 

Wenty kick off to start the game. Composed set from Penrith as they work it upfield and drive the ball into the corner. The reply from the Magpies isn’t as substantive as the effort from Penrith but they nearly force an error from their midfield bomb. Completed sets from both teams to start this affair.

First break of the game comes for Wenty as they run it on the last. Dane Aukafolau makes a half break and looks to offload it to support but they are tackled before the ball arrives. Wenty move into Penrith’s red zone and go on the attack.

Tap and go for Dane. He is met by the defensive line and driven back. Left to the posts where Andy Saunders is turned inside to the left upright. He draws the second penalty of the game. Tap and go once more for Wenty.

To the tight where a short ball to Matt Woods leads to the rangy backrower offloading to Aukafolau. Back t o the left now with Layoun on the wide sweeper option. He runs it himself and it puled down just inside the field of play but the dummy half effort from Eddie Aiono on the next play results in him getting swarmed upon and thrown into touch.

Huge play from Saunders! The charge down and regather! Pure hustle there and it puts Wenty right back into the box seat. They work both sides of the ruck before settling back to the right edge but an errant offload from Layoun results in a turnover. He just spooned that out the back where it was dived on by a defender.

To make matter worse the Panthers then get a piggy back out of their danger zone.

Good sliding defence from our right edge as Aukafolau shuts down the play with a strong hit. Penrith blatantly drop the ball forwards and get a lifeline as the ref rules play on and it gets compound interest when their fifth tackle kick draws a dubious knock on call against the visitors.

A lot of running for Penrith here and Wenty will do well to hold on. The home team focus play down their right edge but Wenty repel them and the crossfield kick to the other edge on the last is grassed by the Panthers! Superb hold from Wenty.

Quality run from Atini Gafa to get Wenty rumbling forwards and Anthony Layoun looks to capitalise as he slices through the middle on the next tackle! But no! His pass to support is awful and is scooped up by the Panthers! Dear oh dear! Penrith had cover support there to stop the break but it is a huge chance wasted.

At the least the Panthers turn the ball over immediately so Wenty will hold similar field position but without the benefit of a scrambling defensive line.

Clean break by Nathan Davis there but he slips as he comes to the fullback! Right edge blitz for Wenty now but the ball takes the hand of a defender. Six again! Kauri Appouri! He takes on the line as he runs to the left of the uprights and dances his way through! Penrith nibbled hard on his exterior options and he says thank you very much en route to scoring the first try of the day.

 

Try scored by Kauri Appouri. Conversion successful by Nathan Davis.

Wenty lead 6-0

16min gone

 

The swirling kick off is dropped backwards by Wenty. Play on. Think it was the try scorer Appouri who spilled it and then cleaned it up. The Magpies recover and grind their way up to just shy of halfway with a Ray Stone carry before a neat clearing kick splits winger and fullback. Not a bad set really.

Penrith are slow to get back for this set and ruck it out via their backs. Good defence from Wenty pins them to 15m short of halfway. Layoun is the big beneficiary of the defensive pressure with an easy kick return.

Through the middle for Wenty before they go left with Gower and Davis, the latter is taken ball and all. One centreing play it looks like but it is a bluff! Reed Mahoney jumps out of dummy half to the left edge short side and stabs a grubber kick in! Knocked dead for a repeat set! Great vision and execution from the 19yo hooker.

Simple stuff for Wenty as they build their way back into th red zone. Saunders carts it up to the posts to set up the first real attacking play. Mahoney double pumps before finding Nicholls who uses Woods. Back to Stone to bring up the last in front of the posts and we opt to go right. Nice tip on from Layoun to Gafa on the last but the nuggety winger is going to be bundled into touch regardless so he throws a hail mary flick pass that is picked off by the Panthers.

Reed Mahoney again! The Panthers end a midfield bomb up and volleyball spike it backwards a good 15m. Mahoney is still in the vicinity of the ball after putting the initial kick pressure on and he wraps up the Panther who went back to get the ball! A desperation offload is flung out…perfectly into the hands of a flying Nathan Davis who then races 55m to score! Thank you very much!

 

Try scored by Nathan Davis. Conversion successful by Nathan Davis.

Wenty lead 12-0

23min gone

 

Towering mid range kick off from the Panthers. It bounces kindly for Wenty and Stromquist tidies it up before drawing a penalty – offside defenders maybe.

Tap and run for Aukafolau. Just a settler before we go to the left but Penrith mark up well. REED MAHONEY AGAIN! He is electric out of dummy half as he scoots down the left edge short side again and bullets a pass to Davis on a crash line! Great hands from the massive centre as well as he takes a hard pass at the line before sliding over to score his second of the day!

 

Try scored by Nathan Davis. Conversion unsuccessful by Nathan Davis.

Wenty lead 16-0

27min gone

 

Good settling run by Eddie Aiono this set. Wenty storm over halfway before the last and Mahoney looks to put hte knife in and twist it but a rare mis-step for the mercurial rake as his kick is mistimed and squirts through the front line. Such is his touch at the moment though that even his miscues are turning to gold as Penrith knock on in attempting to clean it up!

To the left from the scrum win for Wenty but they are back to the right immediately after the first tackle. Mahoney turns it inside to Appouri who changes angles as he finds Nicholls down the left. Loose pass from Nicholls but much like the Flegg game earlier, the ball hits the ground and the defence freezes up! Aiono scoops it up and dances between the winger and centre to burrow over the the fourth try in a row for Wenty!

 

Try scored by Eddie Aiono. Conversion successful by Nathan Davis.

Wenty lead 22-0

31min gone

 

Aiono with the kickoff effort again.Good metres for Stromquist on the third before Gower takes it over the 40m line. Stromquist comes back for his second and Wenty will kick over halfway and Penrith let the bomb bounce! It takes a wicked turn to the goal line and is marked out on the 10m line. Great result.

Swarming defence from Wenty now. They are pouring in to shut down the second phase ball from Penrith. Stellar defensive set really. Penrith kick from around 38m off their line and heave it far too deep downfield as Layoun carefully watches it run dead.

Aukafolau and Hitori run it up the guts before Kassis careens into the line. Appouri looks for Layoun through the middle but rightfully holds onto the ball and wears the tackle before Layoun stabs the ball ahead down the right edge and a spirited chase from Gafa results in another line drop out. Superb opening half from Wenty so far.

Nicholls fields the drop out and uses Aiono. Marata takes the third tackle carry before Wenty go wide right to a sweeping Layoun who is tackled by centre and winger. Back to the posts to set up the last tackle kick. Wenty are lined up to the left and look to go that way but Mahoney chooses to kick to the posts. It takes a deflection off the upright and it knocked on by the Panthers!

Shot range stuff from Wenty through the opening tackles as they work in a 15m corridor around the posts. Bullet like cutout pass from Nicholls to Aiono but the cover defence races over to bring him down. Looks like an error from Wenty on the next tackle but the defence is caught offside!

Another penalty as the ball is reefed out of Gower’s grasp in a 3-man tackle. With just over a minute on the clock, Wenty have decided to slow play down and take the shot at goal from just to the left of the posts. Davis lines it up…

 

Penalty conversion attempt successful by Nathan Davis.

 

Half Time

Wentworthville Magpies 24 lead Penrith Panthers 0

 

Second Half

 

Wenty will receive the ball as they look to improve on their 24 unanswered points.

Aiono takes the kick on the full for what I think is his third hit up from a restart from halfway. Wenty work it to the middle with Stone before going right to Woods who is chopped down at the legs. Some nifty feet from Piki Rogers there! Nearly steps his way through the middle. Wenty look to find touch on the last but their kick is pulled down by the left edge flanker for Penrith.

No frills reply by Penrith and they complete their set by bombing Layoun, who is rock steady under the high ball. Through the guts for the Magpies as they look to jostle their way up to halfway. Oooh lovely short ball from Gower to Nicholls to put the half through a hole. He hasn’t got the legs to make a clean break through! Dang.

A bomb completes the set for Wenty but Penrith have no issues defusing it. Just as Penrith look to be getting themselves back into the arm wrestle they concede an offensive penalty! Dearie me! Incorrect play the ball there.

Good run from David Gower on the second tackle as he spins through the first contact. Oh Marata is nearly over there but it comes back! Loose pass from Mahoney I think that bobbles to the ankles of Niukoure, he picks it up and weaves his way through the front line with only one more to beat before the referee finally makes his call. He definitely changed his mind there as he initially gestured that there was no knock on. Fair call though I think.

Some up tempo play from Penrth now as they snipe down their left edge. Wenty meet them well and earn a penalty on the last when Layoun is clearly taken in the air while catching the Penrith bomb. Poor discipline from Penrith there.

Time off for an injured Panther who was left dusty from the competition for the high ball.

Woods is first cab off the rank from the tap restart. Stone and Hitori pound it up the guts before Nicholls looks to feed Davis with early ball but the pass comes back – it traveled forwards out of the hands.

Penrith work their way down the field through their right edge. They then swing play to the left side where Wenty jam effectively to bring an end to that foray. So back to the right it is and Davis is caught flat footed in a pure 2-on-2 situation. He over-commits pushes across as he looks to recover and his opposite slides past him on the inside. A commendable effort from Layoun at the last line but the ball is marked down by the main official and Penrith are finally on the board.

 

Try scored by Penrith. Conversion successful.

Penrith trail 6-24

51min gone

 

Early kick from Penrith in the kickoff set. Huge dividends from it as well as it pulls up deep in the in-goals and Layoun is buried as he tries to claw his way back into the field of play. Can Penrith further narrow the deficit here?

Left to right for the home team from the drop out before they come back to the posts. They are pulled down desperately short on the third before a loose offload takes the hand of a defender. Big slice of luck there for the home team as that was a badly forced offload.

Good hustle from Ray Stone to bring down the half from the scrum. One right for Penrith before they go back to the posts but speedy goal line defence forces the error! Wenty needed to make a stand there and arrest the swinging momentum and that they certainly did!

Urgh, I put the bloody mockers on them as naturally they make an error coming out of their red zone! Penrith with a huge chance now and it only takes them three tackles to make good on it.

Nathan Davis shot out of the line there and was beaten on his inside shoulder once more. Wenty need to regain their composure here lest they risk blowing a mountainous lead.

 

Try scored by the Penrith Panthers. Conversion successful.

Penrith trail 12-24

58min gone

 

Another early kick from Penrith but this time Layoun and Aiono are better awake to the threat. Wenty just need to get to their kick here, anything on top of that is a bonus. A kick they do indeed manage but it takes an unkind roll and trickles over the dead ball line. 7 tackle set for Penrith.

Great 1-on-1 tackle by Aiono on the fringes. That one had to be made. Mahoney works hard through the middle to shadow the Penrith fullback on an inside channel. The Panthers are throwing the ball around now. Bit of reckless abandon to it.

They work it down their left on the last and drill a grubber kick back inside that trips Layoun up. He recovers well though and is perfectly positioned to shepherd it over the dead ball line for a 7 tackle set of their own.

In the mean time, the game comes to a halt for an injured Panther who is eventually helped off the field by trainers.

Courageous run by Sam Gorman up the guts. Wide left to Gower who pokes his nose through the front line. Back to Gorman and then to the right as Appouri rolls it through the front line but he doesn’t have enough juice on the grubber and it is fielded 10m off Penrith’s goal line. Wenty make things that much worse when they are pinged for a hand on the ball in the subsequent tackle.

More second phase play from Penrith here as they continue to throw caution to the wind and offload at every opportunity. It reaps dividends in this set as the defensive line breaks down around the middle for Wenty and their Penrith halfback glides past Layoun to score to the right of the posts. Wenty are dangerously close to squandering a 24 point lead now.

 

Try scored by the Penrith Panthers. Conversion successful.

Penrith trail 18-24

65min gone

 

A turning of the tide? Wenty force an error from the kickoff with some stern defence. This is their shot to put a resurgent Penrith outfit away I reckon!

Scrum is set in front of the posts and 20m off Penrith’s goal line. Split edges for Wenty in light on the centrefield ball and they go left to Davis. HELLO!? Penrith defence!? Davis skips to his left and extends his right arm to fend and all of a sudden all he sees is daylight! That was embarrassingly easy! Wenty secure a two score lead once more. Hat trick for Davis as well just quietly.

 

Try scored by Nathan Davis. Conversion successful by Nathan Davis.

Wenty lead 30-18

68min gone

 

Oh wow, talk about leaving the door open…

Wenty lose the ball backwards to their ingoals, forcing one of the big men to go back and get it. He tries to burrow his way back into the field of play but loses the pill and Penrith clean it up and then dive over the line to bring the score right back to a 6 point margin. What is happening in this game?

 

Try scored by the Penrith Panthers. Conversion successful.

Penrith trail 24-30

71min gone

 

And now Penrith lose the ball from the kick off! Ray Stone had dead set murdered someone there and forced the ball out! But at what cost? Stone is left reeling out of the shot and surely has to be pulled off! His victim is yet to regain his footing at all, that was a PUNISHING shot!

Stone indeed is called out of the game. Piki Rogers the man to replace him I believe. Oh it was a penalty to Wenty! Offside it must have been from the lost ball! Surely a gift two points and the two score lead for the Magpies here. Davis to line it up off the tee.

 

Penalty conversion attempt successful by Nathan Davis.

Wenty lead 32-24

72min gone

 

How many more twists are there left in this game?

Okay no knock on or try from the first tackle of this set. Is that a record?

Simple stuff from Wenty as they work either side of the ruck looking to get to their kick. Oh that is superb game management from Mahoney there as he skips out of dummy half and drills the ball into touch 10m off Penrith’s line. A couple of miscues for the young rake but it has been an overwhelmingly positive ISP debut otherwise.

Solid set from Penrith as they grind their way into Wenty’s half. They run it on the last, a little trick play down their right edge, but Wenty are awake to the danger and hold on to enforce the turnover on tackles. Little over 5min left in this game.

Now a slice of luck for Wenty as their offload catches the hand of a defender. Fresh set of six from the set scrum 15m shy of halfway.

A little shake and bake from Dane Aukafolau off the scrum win. Beats the first men but is quickly wrapped up after that. Saudners and Gower the next options as Wenty work their way into range for an attacking kick. Rogers centres the pill to the left upright before Davis is buried due to a hospital ball from Nicholls on the last tackle. Turnover 15m off Penrith’s line – not the worst result to be honest.

A half break for Penrith through the ruck but Layoun races up to kill the threat. Penrith will get to an attacking kick at the end of this set but first they look to raid our left edge. We turn them away so to the other side it goes but diligent scrambling defence bundle them into touch! Great goal line hold there.

Scrum to Wenty with 2min on the clock.

Wenty wisely opt to play no-risk footy and put away the offloads. They won’t let it finish easily though with a charge down from Appouri’s kick on the last. It bounces directly to Layoun who has to think twice in order not to heave it downfield as the official screams at him that there is 6 to go. Fortunately he comes to the right decision and takes the tackle. With 10sec on the clock, Gower comes in field and looks to find Rogers on a short ball but the pass is dropped and Wenty concede a last gasp penalty. Penrith find touch and then try a shallow grubber from their own half but Layoun races up to regain possession and he succumbs to the tackle to bring an end to a unnecessarily pulsating game!

 

Full Time

Wentworthville Magpies 32 defeat Penrith Panthers 24