Final Score
Penrith Panthers 30-12 Newcastle Knights
Penrith Panthers have forced their way off the bottom of the ladder with a dominant second half performance against the unfortunate Newcastle Knights.
The Panthers started the match well, and led by 8 halfway through the first half, before Clint Newton and Jake Mamo put the Knights in front.
>>MATCH REPORT: Knights claim the spoon after loss to Penrith
Mamo was the standout for the Knights, but his strong display couldn’t stop Penrith from running riot in the second half, with tries to Dean Whare and Josh Mansour, as well as a double to Tyrone Peachey. Man of the Match will be between Will Smith and Tyrone Peachey – both of whom were instrumental in the Panthers strong result tonight.
The Newcastle Knights take on the Penrith Panthers in a battle to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon. Join The Roar from 3:00pm (AEST) for live scores and full match coverage.
This year’s wooden spooners are destined to have won 10 of their 26 matches – a decent run for finishing last, which shows just how close the 2015 NRL season has been.
However such a statistic won’t comfort the side who loses this afternoon.
The Penrith Panthers could be without the instrumental Jamie Soward, despite the fact he has been named to play, after he was concussed last week. Bryce Cartwright is injured, though has also been named to play.
Otherwise the Panthers are unchanged from their loss to the Raiders last week.
The Panthers have lost seven of their last eight matches, and haven’t scored more than 24 points since Round 16. While they have a side capable of playing good footy, they haven’t got the results throughout this season.
For the Knights, Adam Clydsdale returns from injury at hooker to replace Danny Levi, with Tyler Randell dropping back to the bench.
The Knights come into this game off the back of a decent run against the Bulldogs last week, but once again fell short, despite Kurt Gidley’s best efforts to lift his struggling side in the dying moments.
Prediction
Without Soward, the Panthers could really struggle in the middle. Will Smith is likely to step up in his departure, but even so it is difficult to back the Panthers after the season they’ve had.
The Knights are favourites with the bookies, and it’s hard to disagree. The Panthers will struggle without Soward, and even if he does play, the five-eighth’s kicking game is useless without in-form backs.
Newcastle to win comfortably.
Join The Roar for live coverage of this clash from 3pm (AEST) and don’t forget to comment if you’re following along.
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
still better than any other fight I have seen this year
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Full Time - Penrith Panthers have forced their way off the bottom of the ladder with a dominant second half performance against the unfortunate Newcastle Knights. The Panthers started the match well, and led by 8 halfway through the first half, before Clint Newton and Jake Mamo put the Knights in front. Mamo was the standout for the Knights, but his strong display couldn't stop Penrith from running riot in the second half, with tries to Dean Whare and Josh Mansour, as well as a double to Tyrone Peachey. Man of the Match will be between Will Smith and Tyrone Peachey - both of whom were instrumental in the Panthers strong result tonight. Full Time Score: Panthers 30-12 Knights
James Anderson
Roar Guru
80' - Roberts to Gidley, who fumbles but somehow avoids a challenge, then lays off for the kick across to Uate. The kick is poor though. Panthers 30-12 Knights
James Anderson
Roar Guru
79' - He gets the two points!! Fantastic effort Panthers. Panthers 30-12 Knights
James Anderson
Roar Guru
79' - David Simmons will kick in front of goal. His last match, what might be his last touch of a footy. Panthers 30-12 Knights
James Anderson
Roar Guru
78' - TRY PENRITH!!! That wraps it up for the Knights who will take home the Wooden spoon. Another offload finds Tyrone Peachey who takes off and 'gets his second for the night. Panthers 24-12 Knights
James Anderson
Roar Guru
77' - Tapine's run sums up the Knights performance this afternoon. Gets past three players, then powers through, looking for an offload on his way down, though the pass is off and Penrith regain possession. Panthers 24-12 Knights
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Gidley played at that. How is it a Newcastle feed?
James Anderson
Roar Guru
76' - Penrith slow the match down in a decent set of 6. The kick comes off Gidley and out over the touch. Half the Penrith side take a minute to stretch out their cramps. Newcastle restart in the scrum. Panthers 24-12 Knights
Tomas Kelly
Roar Rookie
Sadly for the Knights, they are deserving of the wooden spoon after today's efforts
James Anderson
Roar Guru
74' - Newcastle pull away and make good ground, but this match is already lost. Panthers have been too strong in the second half. Panthers 24-12 Knights
James Anderson
Roar Guru
73' - Newcastle opt for the short kickoff but Simmons out-smarts them. He takes off with only the try-line in front of him, though couldn't out run the Newcastle defence. Five years ago he would've had that, but still fantastic work in his last match. Panthers 24-12 Knights
James Anderson
Roar Guru
72' - Smith with some work to do from the left touch line. Smith skews it badly to the right Panthers 24-12 Knights
Cadfael
Roar Guru
nevert saw one closed fist in the whole lot.
James Anderson
Roar Guru
71' - Peachey to Brown, who is tackled 12m out. Will Smith is first Receiver, and plays to Campbell Gillard. The Ball is worked out to the left wing, and TRY MANSOUR!! Panthers 24-12 Knights
James Anderson
Roar Guru
70' - Another penalty against Newcaslte, the last one for a Facial. 21 penalties in the match so far. Penrith should get a try here, they've had enough opportunities Panthers 20-12 Knights
James Anderson
Roar Guru
69' - Newcastle Line drop out following a Uate tackle in goal. The Knights have only themselves to blame for all this pressure. Panthers 20-12 Knights
James Anderson
Roar Guru
68' - Koroisau is hit hard as he set it up nicely for Smith. Newcastle bring it away from their line, but lose the ball on the second tackle. Penrith putting pressure on again. Panthers 20-12 Knights
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Unheard of.
James Anderson
Roar Guru
67' - Penrith Penalty for the tackle off the ball. They start with the ball on their attacking 30m line. Panthers 20-12 Knights