A
battle to the end in Penrith
Report
from: Alison
Nolan
11/05/03
Unbelieveable
finish to an action packed game at Penrith Stadium,
with the Panthers just holding out the Dragons
by 30-26.
Right
from the word go this game was filled with fast
packed action, more than some fans could take.
Both teams had chances and bombed them. Both teams
cut up the defence like a hot knife in butter.
Half
time had the Panthers ahead by 12 - 10, but the
2nd half was just non stop action for the full
40 minutes.
The
Panthers seemingly had the game sown up with a
pretty comfortable of 26-14 midway through the
second half, with the Dragons a little guilty
of slacking off and the Panthers pack brimming
with confidence.
But
once again, never under estimate a wounded Dragon.
And charging back at the Penrith side is exactly
what they did. Right to the dying seconds of the
game, the Dragons pounded the Panthers' defence,
but to their credit, the Panthers held in there.
Another exciting finish in the NRL competition.
Scorers:
PANTHERS 30
Tries: Lewis, Howland, Wesser, Campbell
Goals: Campbell (3/5), Sattler (1/1), Gower (1/1),
Rodney (2/2) defeated
DRAGONS 26
Tries: Firman, Cross, Barrett, Gasnier, Thompson
Goals: Riddell (3/4), Roberts (0/1),
By
the clock:
Beautiful
sunshine greets the teams and fans at the packed
Penrith Stadium this afternoon.
4th
min: PENALTY GOAL - Campbell for Panthers. Firman
(Dragons) penalised for coming in late in the
tackle. This follows another penalty earlier in
the same set, for offside play. Easy kick in the
end for Campbell. Panthers 2-0
8th
min: TRY - Lewis for Panthers. The Dragons very
nearly scoring, then the Panthers, with possession,
are down the other end of the field scoring. Rooney,
flying down the sideline, set up the play, on
the fifth tackle, Gower puts the chip through
for Lewis who scoops the ball up and scores. Campbell,
misses the conversion from 15 metres in. Panthers
6-0
13th
min: TRY - Firman for Dragons. Panthers turn to
nearly score but Campbell loses it by the line.
Next set and the Dragons score. Firman sets up
Timmins to break through the line, then backs
his team mate up and scores. Riddell gets the
conversion from almost in front. 6-6
20th
min: NEWS - Both teams making breaks and opening
up the play, this is going to be a good contest
23rd
min: TRY - Howland for Panthers. Gower set up
Wesser to spin in the tackle and head off down
the field. A flying Howland is there in support
and dots down under the posts. Campbell gets the
easy conversion from out in front. Panthers 12-6
25th
min: NEWS - A great run down the sideline by Roberts
(Dragons). He chips over the head of Wesser, a
tussle to get the ball between the two, over the
tryline, but Roberts knocks on so Saleh who dived
on the ball, is not awarded the try
30th
min: NEWS - This game is being played at unbelieveable
speed by both sides. Brilliant breaks only to
fall down near the line through the support unable
to back up
33rd
min: TRY - Cross for Dragons. Nice set plays from
a penalty, starting with Thompson offloading beautifully
on the 1st tackle. The 3rd tackle and Cross is
over. Riddell from 10 metres out misses the conversion.
Panthers 12-10
HALF
TIME: Both teams making a lot of ground at times.
Stats do suggest the Dragons should be well in
front
46th
min: TRY - Wesser for Panthers. Gower put a kick
ahead which Howland flies down the sideline chasing,
he gets a boot on it. It bounces perfectly for
a sprinting Wesser to collect and score, no Dragons
in sight. Campbell gets the easy conversion. Panthers
18-10
50th
min: PENALTY GOAL - Gower for Panthers. A penalty
for a late sandwich tackle on Gower (Panthers),
then some back chat, so the Dragons are marched
10 metres making an easy kick for Gower. Panthers
20-10
52nd
min: TRY - Campbell for Panthers. An enthusiastic
Panthers pack are ripping the Dragons defence
apart. A hint of a forward pass from Wesser to
a flying Campbell, but not called up. Sattler
gets the conversion from out in front. Panthers
26-10
55th
min: TRY - Barrett for Dragons. Barrett takes
the ball to the line on the 50 metre mark, pops
a beauty pass to Thompson, then backs up Thompson
who times his pass to Barrett perfectly. Roberts
misses the conversion. Panthers 26-14
58th
min: NEWS - Cooper (Dragons) injured in a tackle
made by Wesser after breaking the defensive line,
falling heavily. Play stopped while a disorientated
Cooper leaves the field
64th
min: NEWS - Dragons penalised twice in arow for
being inside the 10 metres
67th
min: TRY - Gasnier for Dragons. A lot of room
up the middle of the ruck for the Dragons. Through
they go and Gasnier at speed gets the try. Riddell's
kick, from 20 out, hits the post and fortunately
for the Dragons goes over. Panthers 26-20
70th
min: PENALTY GOAL - Rodney for Panthers. From
the kick off, a knock on by the Dragons. Picked
up by the Dragons in an offside position. Easy
kick for Rodney. Panthers 28-20
74th
min: PENALTY GOAL - Rodney for Panthers. The line
dropout by the Dragons did not go 10 metres. Easy
penalty kick. Panthers 30-20
76th
min: TRY - Thompson for Dragons. Barrett puts
him through the gap perfectly. Riddell with a
quick conversion. Panthers 30-26
80th
min: Do or die stuff for the Dragons, 2 penalties
right at the last and a line dropout thanks to
Gower (Panthers) kicking it out behind the goaline
from a scrum. But they couldn't score. Exciting
stuff
FULL
TIME: What a finish. The Dragons went all out
at the last, but to no avail the Panthers hung
in there, 30-26.
match
pics - click here
