Jamie Soward’s pinpoint kicking game has piloted Penrith to a 20-16 win over Sydney Roosters at a rain-sodden Allianz Stadium on Monday night.
Soward’s kicking ensured the Panthers’ early ascendancy and then prevented the visitors from mounting a comeback as he trapped the home side again and again in their own in-goal.
In an exciting contest, also dominated up front by Panthers forward Lelani Latu, who ran for over 200m, Penrith were questionably denied a Matt Moylan try late, from a pass that was ruled forward.
The win is the Panthers’ third this year and continues their trend of close contents.
The Roosters remain on the bottom of the NRL ladder with just one win after seven rounds.
Captain Jake Friend was fantastic in defence for the Roosters making 65 tackles, Aidan Guerra ran for over 200m and Latrell Mitchell scored two tries.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scored first in the seventh minute after an early period of Penrith dominance.
Soward had stretched that lead to 8-0 after 10 minutes on the back of a conversion and a penalty goal.
Momentum then swung the Roosters’ way and Mitchell took full advantage when he barged through Moylan, Trent Merrin and Josh Mansour to score in the 19th minute.
Former Roosters prop Suaia Matagi then produced a fantastic short ball against his old club to put Te Maire Martin over on the half hour and the Panthers were out to an eight point lead again.
Moylan was fairly denied a try for obstruction shortly before halftime before Blake Ferguson swept aside Soward to score the Roosters’ second try after a quick tap from Jake Friend following a penalty for a scoreline of 14-10 at the break.
Waqa Blake extended the visitors’ lead five minutes after halftime when he finished off a 50m attacking thrust with a clever angled run to score.
The Roosters replied through Mitchell six minutes later with a contender for try of they year as the Steeden was tossed through eight sets of hands.
Roosters back-rower Isaac Liu was put on report for a 10th minute ‘crusher’ tackle on Lelani Latu.
Muzz
Guest
Looks like sou ffs supporters are also on tilt. The lols have no heart!
Muzz
Guest
A masterclass in game management by Soward to close out the game.
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
Hehe. I'm a Panthers fan and that made me laugh. Soward couldn't tackle my nan and she uses a walking stick. She'd palm him off and crash over for a try, a cup of tea and a nice rich tea biscuit.
Bulldog
Guest
Agreed - this headline could have easily been "Soward defence costs Panthers win"
concerned supporter
Guest
Chocolate Soldiers! Penrith played their best football for a couple of years L Mitchell, at last came good. But a bad tackle miss on W Blake led to 6 points.
jamesb
Guest
Good win by Penrith, and I love their new jersey.
jamesb
Guest
Agree guys. Mitchell looks like a gun.
Albo
Guest
"Jake Friend is an Isaac Luke wannabe." Please ! Jake Friend did 67 tackles last night and was the only forward to trouble the Panthers pack with the ball ! He surpassed Isaac Luke a long time ago ! "Had Soward been playing for the roosters last night, the result would have gone the other way." Had Soward been playing for the Roosters last night Waqa Blake would have scored a hat trick down the right side and the Panthers might have had a clean sheet in defence and won by 20 !
MAX
Guest
Jake Friend is one of the most reliable and productive rakes in the history of Rugby League. Had he been born in NSW he would have been an automatic selection for Origin. Every coach in the NRL would love to have Jackson Hastings on board. I suspect you are fishing.
Parrafan
Guest
Mitchell is going to be immense. A tough introduction to the NRL but he is taking his opportunity with both hands. Roosters should keep their eyes off Hayne and continue developing this kid because he has the potential to be the next great fullback of the competition.
Albo
Guest
The problem for the Panthers is that Soward delivers a good kicking game about every 6th or 7th game, as per last night. And didn't he have to deliver one last night, after missing 5 tackles , playing as a speed hump for two soft Roosters tries, and placing the left hand side defence of the Panthers under pressure all night. Every team targets him and the Panthers left hand side defence. Poor Hiku doesn't know if he is coming or going trying to cover for him. Not sure just how long the coach can afford to keep this defensive liability on the field, unless he significantly improves a weekly consistency of a quality kicking game and game management to compensate.
Jacksyd
Guest
When Moylan's fair try was disallowed toward the end, had the roosters won after that, it would have been a disgrace. I commend the Panthers for taking it on the cheek and instead of doing a James Graham, they knuckled down and closed out the game. Had Soward been playing for the roosters last night, the result would have gone the other way. Jackson Hastings is very average and no more than a NSW Cup player at best. Jake Friend is an Isaac Luke wannabe.
jimmmy
Guest
Nerval i agree with you. There are some wonderful young footballers in NSW and I think QLD is very vulnerable this year if only NSW picks the right side. Ingliss is playing busted. Cam Smith looks very tired and worn already. We are missing some outside backs. Things couldn't be more positive for NSW but if they don't pick some young faces they are doomed to last years result. It is time for generational change in the NSW origin team but Loz seems to think grinding out another series loss is acceptable. He says things like a lot of the young guys don't have big match experience. Did Alan Langer? Did Josh Papalli? Did Dane Gagai? If they are good enough they are ready. If NSW don't win this year I think 2019 is your next oportunity. If Greg Bird et al are still in the team it may be longer than that.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Good show put on by both teams in the wet but Soward gave a master class in how to play in the wet. His fifth tackle kicks in the last 10 minutes just kept the Rooster team out of it. Both teams have great youngsters coming through. Mitchell is already showing what a great player he is going to be. Te Maire Martin will be a special player and Waqa Blake is finally delivering on his touted potential. His and Mitchells tries was a showcase of their potential.
The eye
Guest
Jamie arrived alive..drove well last night in the wet,couple of head ons went against him but well and truly earned his fare.. Potentially a far better side than how they're playing..but you wouldnt want them to be peaking with 20 weeks to go..
The Barry
Roar Guru
Mitchell gave a taste of what he is capable of. Can't believe he is 18. Soward and Moylan man handled by Mitchell and Ferguson as they scored.
nerval
Guest
I loved the game too. In wretched conditions, both teams should take a bow for their efforts. I have absolutely no idea why Penrith's coach described the game afterwards as "a bit of a bludger." I think the Panthers have the very best group of young players in the game - especially Moylan and Cartwright, but not forgetting the likes of Waqa Blake, who looks to be coming of age. Yes, the first two missed the odd tackle - it happens! - but they have so much more to offer than a whole raft of veterans whose time has surely come and gone and yet who seem still to be favoured by both Mal Meninga and Laurie Daley. Hodkinson or Moylan for Origin? Hmmm. Cartwright or Greg Bird? The only downside to this game was the thousands and thousands of empty seats. The official attendance was given as being over 10,000. If arms and legs were being counted, then maybe... Are Roosters fans the most fickle in the NRL? Three years in succession as minor Premiers and, yet, at the first sight of a bit of difficulty or - even worse - some heavy rain, and they're nowhere to be seen. Imagine the gates that Parramatta, for example, would be getting if their team had the Roosters' record?
MAX
Guest
Last night Jamie Soward reminded us that he is still capable of delivering a masterclass in applied RL intelligence. The game was so good, I watched the replay. It was even better. These two teams deserve to be in the top 8. Let's hope they do it.
jimmmy
Guest
This was a really high quality game for the conditions. Enjoyed every minute of it. Neither side really deserved to lose but Penrith had a much better kicking game. Soward kicks the ball very well and played it very smart with both his short and long kicking but he truely is a turnstile in defence. I wondeer if someone would put together a highlight package of him doing cartwheels aided by Ingliss , Burgess and Blake Fergeson( from last night). It is not so much missing the tackle but the beautiful style of his that accompanies it.