The Penrith Panthers have warded off a fast-finishing Canberra Raiders at Carrington Park in Bathurst, winning by a single point on the back of a Peter Wallace field goal.
REPORT: PENRITH WIN A CLOSE ONE
The Panthers were ahead at half time and managed to increase that early in the second half in what was a fairly entertaining first 45 or so minutes. From there though, the game completely broke down and neither team could find any rhythm or flow to their offence as the errors built up.
Despite Penrith having a 12-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes, the Raiders would score a pair of tries with some very expansive plays to tie the game before Peter Wallace kicked the winning field goal after misses from both sides.
Bryce Cartwright was the best on ground almost unquestionably with offloads building up and plenty of run metres as he terrorised the Canberra defence all afternoon.
In fact, it would be fair to say all the Panthers forwards were strong – particularly during the first half. That allowed Peter Wallace, Jamie Soward and Matt Moylan to go on the attack and Canberra just didn’t have the answers.
In fact, for most of the game Canberra didn’t have any answers in attack. They had a one-dimensional attack and didn’t look creative at all trying to go one-up all afternoon through the forwards.
The try scoring opened in the seventh minute through Bryce Cartwright. The Raiders were actually going on the attack when Austin went to put in a grubber, had it taken by the Panthers and Cartwright had a massive headstart before scoring under the goalposts.
Jordan Rapana would answer back just seven minutes later off a fantastic Joey Leilua offload on the right-hand side.
The Panthers would ensure they went into the break with the lead though as they shifted the ball quickly to the right for Cartwright, who offloaded it back in through four players to Tyrone Peachey and he crossed over for the easy try. Jamie Soward missed the conversion, but kicked a penalty goal not too long after, giving the Panthers a lead of a converted try at the break.
The second half saw error after error, particularly from Penrith coming out of their own end. They had basic errors, while the Raiders had a number of execution errors on the attack.
Regardless, Peta Hiku would manage to score in the 55th minute and push Penrith well ahead.
The Raiders, after countless errors and struggling to find any rhythm or creativity finally managed to score through Paul Vaughan with a barge over try, before Jordan Rapana would score his second just five minutes later.
Both teams would have missed shots at field goal before Peter Wallace knocked one over from about 30 metres out with under 60 seconds to go.
The Raiders would manage to put in a short kickoff, regaining the ball and eventually Aidan Sezer would take a crack at a field goal, have it charged down and James Segyaro would go almost the length of the field before Penrith wound the clock down.
So, in the end at Bathurst Penrith escape with the two points but it was far from comfortable.
Final score
Penrith Panthers 19
Canberra Raiders 18
It could be a high-scoring game when the Penrith Panthers hit the road to Bathurst for a home game against the Canberra Raiders, with plenty on the line. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3pm (AEST).
It was a tale of mixed fortunes last weekend, as the Panthers went down to the Cronulla Sharks in a nail-biter, while the Canberra Raiders got up by a massive 54 points, running up the highest score so far this season against the hapless Wests Tigers.
The Panthers match, against Cronulla saw them down, then up but ultimately with a two point loss. They struggled to break the Sharks defence in the first half despite having what can only be considered an absolute mountain of possession, right on the line.
A lack of points during that period will absolutely worry them. While they scored a few tries after half time, there was plenty of luck involved with one being off a bomb that was allowed to bounce – absolutely perfectly for Matthew Moylan it must be added, and another two of excellent passing displays from long range.
It has left them on 11th place, with only three wins from their first eight games and the pressure starting to mount at a rate of knots.
The Raiders on the other hand are coming off an absolute smashing of the Wests Tigers. They ran up 60 points and never looked fazed as every member of the team contributed in some way shape or form.
It was an important win for the Canberra side, particularly given they had dropped out of the top eight and that they had dropped their previous two matches against the Cronulla Sharks and Parramatta Eels – giving up 76 points in the process.
In team news, Sam McKendry, Dean Whare and more importantly James Segeyaro are all back into the side. Given injuries to Waqa Blake and Te Maire Martin, the later pair move into the starting side. Segeyaro plays hooker, with Peter Wallace in the halves. Meanwhile, McKendry will play off the bench.
The Canberra Raiders meanwhile, are unchanged with only the addition of Frank-Paul Nuuausala.
The big battle here looks to be the Panthers controlling their kicking game. Without Martin to do the ball running he had been doing, it would appear Peter Wallace must take over some of the kicking duties during general play in an attempt to allow Soward to not only run the ball, but get a little bit creative.
Prediction
The Raiders might be coming off a huge win, but I would say they won’t get the job done again. Penrith to take it with Jamie Soward doing plenty of damage.
Panthers by 12.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores and coverage of this Round 9 NRL match from 3pm (AEST) and don’t forget that you can join in by adding your comments below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Scott Pryde
Expert
Almost 7,000.
Shaun
Guest
Do we know what the official attendance for the game was?
Ian
Guest
The Bunker was clearly wrong. Raiders should have got a penalty instead of Penrith field goal. Match deciding decision blown completely.
steveng
Roar Rookie
I never dismiss them I mostly pick them in my Roar Tipping! i think that they are great young side that gives it all each week.
warren
Guest
How was it not obstructi ng or offside even if Vaughan wasn't going to get to Wallace Merrimack made contact and so did marker or am I watching another game it is so hard to watch the refferee decide so many games
Scott Pryde
Expert
Match Results The Penrith Panthers have warded off a fast-finishing Canberra Raiders at Carrington Park in Bathurst, winning by a single point on the back of a Peter Wallace field goal. The Panthers were ahead at half time and managed to increase that early in the second half in what was a fairly entertaining first 45 or so minutes. From there though, the game completely broke down and neither team could find any rhythm or flow to their offence as the errors built up. Despite Penrith having a 12 point lead heading into the final 10 minutes, the Raiders would score a pair of tries with some very expansive plays to tie the game before Peter Wallace kicked the winning field goal after misses from both sides. Bryce Cartwright was the best on ground almost unquestionably with offloads building up and plenty of run metres as he terrorised the Canberra defence all afternoon. In fact, it would be fair to say all the Panthers forwards were strong - particularly during the first half. That allowed Peter Wallace, Jamie Soward and Matt Moylan to go on the attack and Canberra just didn't have the answers. In fact, for most of the game Canberra didn't have any answers in attack. They had a one-dimensional attack and didn't look creative at all trying to go one-up all afternoon through the forwards. The try scoring opened in the seventh minute through Bryce Cartwright. The Raiders were actually going on the attack when Austin went to put in a grubber, had it taken by the Panthers and Cartwright had a massive headstart before scoring under the goalposts. Jordan Rapana would answer back just seven minutes later off a fantastic Joey Leilua offload on the right-hand side. The Panthers would ensure they went into the break with the lead though as they shifted the ball quickly to the right for Cartwright, who offloaded it back in through four players to Tyrone Peachey and he crossed over for the easy try. Jamie Soward missed the conversion, but kicked a penalty goal not too long after, giving the Panthers a lead of a converted try at the break. The second half saw error after error, particularly from Penrith coming out of their own end. They had basic errors, while the Raiders had a number of execution errors on the attack. Regardless, Peta Hiku would manage to score in the 55th minute and push Penrith well ahead. The Raiders, after countless errors and struggling to find any rhythm or creativity finally managed to score through Paul Vaughan with a barge over try, before Jordan Rapana would score his second just five minutes later. Both teams would have missed shots at field goal before Peter Wallace knocked one over from about 30 metres out with under 60 seconds to go. The Raiders would manage to put in a short kickoff, regaining the ball and eventually Aidan Sezer would take a crack at a field goal, have it charged down and James Segyaro would go almost the length of the field before Penrith wound the clock down. So, in the end at Bathurst Penrith escape with the two points but it was far from comfortable. Final Score: Penrith Panthers 19 Canberra Raiders 18
Jono
Guest
One thing I think Sticky really needs to look at is the form of Lee (it's by far not the only thing he needs to take a look at). He has been quite poor for the last month. He has been poor under the high ball and his ball handling and control has been sub-par. It might be a bit harsh, but I think the commentators went easy on Lee on his double movement try. He butchered that. Looking at him versus is wing partner and it's like chalk and cheese. He has just had his first child and you can understand dealing with his wife's final few weeks and now a new baby could flow into him not being at his best on the park. A "break" in the lower grades to find some form might be what is needed.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The Roar's NRL MVP 3 - Bryce Cartwright 2 - Jarrod Croker 1 - Jamie Soward
Scott Pryde
Expert
STATS: Tries: Panthers (3), Raiders (3) Goals: Panthers (2/3), Raiders (3/3) Penalty Goals: Panthers (1/1), Raiders (nil) Field Goals: Panthers (1/2), Raiders (0/2) Penalties: Panthers (7), Raiders (7) Completions: Panthers (26/38), Raiders (28/38) All runs: Panthers (141), Raiders (152) All Run metres: Panthers (1423), Raiders (1401) Line Breaks: Panthers (2), Raiders (5) Tackles: Panthers (271), Raiders (201) Missed Tackles: Panthers (25), Raiders (10) Offloads: Panthers (18), Raiders (8) Errors: Panthers (12), Raiders (13)
sham
Guest
After watching this game it just confirms how hard it is to be a raiders fan. What is the most annoying is how no matter who the raiders play many people just dismiss them. This was always going to be close. It partly comes from never getting free to air games. Ray Warren got almost every second player wrong when calling the raiders against souths last year and in the 9s it was nearly as bad. Many fans never see the raiders play. Hard to see how that field goal was awarded sad thing is that most raiders fans probably think that if the shoe was on the other foot the raiders would have been penalised.
Jono
Guest
That was an absolute disgraceful reffing in the final 2 mins. Vaughn taken out in marker to put pressure on the kicker. A second push down on Tapine not penalised before a poor field goal attempt. The kick wasn't the refs fault. Sezer had time to go for 1 or 2 more tackles, but panicked, pure and simple. I wouldn't say the refs stole the game from the Raiders, I don't think they were the better side. But the Raiders were still denied from getting the win by some questionable reffing at the death.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stats, MVP and report to come so be sure to stay tuned for that. Thanks for joining me here on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2016 NRL season as the Penrith Panthers managed to defeat the Canberra Raiders in a thrilling finish at Carrington Park in Bathurst. John Coomer will be live on The Roar from 5:30pm (AEST) with live coverage of the Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights, and i'll be back at 7:30pm (AEST) with live coverage of the Manly Sea Eagles vs North Queensland Cowboys game. Be sure to keep following The Roar for all your Rugby League coverage this weekend! Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
80' - FULLTIME Short kickoff and the Raiders have it back! Wow! Wighton goes for a big run before they go left through Austin and then Tapine has a run. Out the back to Sezer, his drop goal is charged down and Segyaro has a long run, before passing to Hiku and that is all there will be time for! What a finish after a sloppy second half. Penrith Panthers 19 Canberra Raiders 18
Scott Pryde
Expert
79' - FIELD GOAL PANTHERS, PETER WALLACE The Panthers come right off the play the ball and Mansour comes straight over half way out to the right. Appeals for a penalty before Moylan has a run and gets a very quick play the ball. Merrin runs to within 15 metres before Latu has a run. They go early out the back to Wallace and slots it straight between the uprights! Well hang on just a second - checking for obstruction in the play the ball! Merrin may well have taken Vaughan out here. Well, the bunker have ruled there is no problem. Panthers 19 Raiders 18
Scott Pryde
Expert
78' - Now the Raiders with a seven tackle set and they come up to half way in three plays themselves with Papalii, Vaughan and Priest all getting involved. Priest has lost the ball though! Oh dear, just over half way and it comes lose as he looks for the play the ball. Panthers 18 Raiders 18
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - The Panthers witha seven tackle set and they bring it up through Mansour, then Hiku and Moylan over half way. Latu with a run before an offload to Segyaro and Merrin inside 40. The Panthers in position early and they stay up the middle through McKendry. Segyaro darts out of dummy half before Wallace goes out the back to Soward, then passes to Moylan who is rushed and then back to Soward who misses. Not sure why Soward passed that first time there. Panthers 18 Raiders 18
Scott Pryde
Expert
76' - Vaughan with a run back before Tapine heads into the middle. They go up the middle through Baptiste and then a quick play the ball before they come left from Wighton to Croker who beats a tackle and heads into the 20. Out the back to Sezer who takes a snap at field goal but misses it! Panthers 18 Raiders 18
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by JARROD CROKER Panthers 18 Raiders 18
Scott Pryde
Expert
74' - TRY RAIDERS, JORDAN RAPANA The Raiders make a shift to the left and Leilua must have broken 5 or 10 tackles there on his way to halfway. Priest with a run up the middle before Croker heads left and Lee almost drops it over the sideline. Crossfield kick on the last from Austin and oh wow what a take from Rapana. He juggles it, juggles it again and then falls over for the try! Bunker here we come again. No problem with onside. Defence well out of position and no problem with the put down. Panthers 18 Raiders 16
Scott Pryde
Expert
73' - The Panthers head away from their own line and it is McKendry having a run before Campbell Gillard brings Penrith to within 10 metres of half way. Merrin with a run up the middle going over halfway, ending up with about 15 metres before Yeo runs the angle off a ball from Segyaro. Wallace bombs on the last and Lee does a fairly solid job at the back there. Panthers 18 Raiders 12