Wests Tigers Holden Cup side have gone down 36-4 against a strong attacking Penrith Panthers side at Campbelltown Sports Stadium today.
Despite some tough defence and ambitious attack, Wests Tigers were unable to keep up with the Panthers with their solid attack and defence line. Both sides showcased their ability to run it down the line but Wests Tigers were unable to take the win over the Panthers and will need to improve next weekend.
Penrith started off the game with Daniel Brown getting a try during the eighth minute but goal kicker Jarome Luai was unable to meet the conversion at this time. Starting off the game with a 4-0 lead.
Just three minutes later, Panthers centre Sam Martin-Savage got another try that was met with a conversion from Luai, pushing their lead to 10-0.
After a good ten minutes of defence from both sides, Penrith captain Wayde Egan scored a try between the posts for the Panthers,with the conversion from Luai taking the score to 16-0.
Billy Burns was the last to get a try in the first half, after a missed conversion the Panthers took their lead to 20-0.
Wests Tigers attempted to back up and get points on the board before going into the second half but Ryan Papenhuyzen’s attempt to get Connelly Lemuelu over the line didn't go to plan with the throw falling short — giving the Panthers a commanding 20-0 lead at the break.
With 20 minutes to go in the match, centre Toa Mata’afa grabbed Wests Tigers first points of the game off a short ball from Papenhuyzen down the right side, bouncing over the line.
The conversion from Leuea went wide, keeping the game at 20-4.
In the 60th minute, Brown went in the far-left corner to get his second try of the game, with a missed conversion giving the Panthers a 24-4 lead.
In a less than ten minute turnaround, Mitch Kenny scored two tries for the Panthers close to the posts — pushing the visitors' lead to 36-4 as the game approached full-time.
Finishing off the game on a 36-4 loss, Wests Tigers continued to battle on the field with their defence, and will look to improve next Sunday when they take on the Canberra Raiders.
Penrith Panthers 36 (Brown 2, Martin-Savage, Egan, Burns, Kenny 2 tries; Luai 3/7 goals) def. Wests Tigers 4 (Mata’afa tries; Lemuelu 0/1 goals)
