PANTHERS ROAR BACK INTO FORM

The Penrith Panthers have roared back into form in the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, thumping the Newcastle Knights 48-16 at McDonald Jones Stadium.

The Panthers started strongly, scoring through Jack Cogger within the opening 10 minutes.

An error gave Newcastle a chance to counter-attack, with Ryan Sutton beating a scattered defence to score.

Jack Cole scored the Panthers’ second try in the 24th minute, before Isaiah Iongi set up Jesse McLean eight minutes later.

They added two tries in the final three minutes of the half, first when Eddie Blacker crashed over near the posts. Daeon Amituanai then beat six defenders to score and move 28-4 ahead.

The Panthers picked up from where they left off after half-time, with a simple right-side shift leading to a try for Thomas Jenkins.

The Knights threatened a comeback with back-to-back tries midway through the half, however another Panthers surge in the final 10 minutes blew the margin out as McLean and Jenkins completed doubles either side of a John Faiumu try.

Earlier in the day, a dominant first half saw the Panthers beat the Knights 28-24 in Jersey Flegg, despite the late send off of Zac Lipowicz following a high tackle.

The Panthers made a perfect start, with Adam Runchel scoring after just three minutes.

Chris Vea’ila got the Knights on the board in the 11th minute, however the Panthers immediately hit back through Luke Philp.

@LachlanJeffery

Back-to-back tries to Harrison Hassett and Lipowicz pushed the Panthers lead out to 22-4, before Philp added a penalty goal just before half-time.

A penalty against Lipowicz immediately after the resumption gifted the Knights field position, leading to a try to Declan Pettet.

Quick-fire tries to Vea’ila and Noah Nailagoliva cut the margin to 24-20, before Cody Lawson scored to give them some breathing space with 10 minutes remaining.

Lipowicz’s send off led to a try to Freeman Forsythe, however the Panthers did enough to hang on and win 28-24.

In Round 8, NSW Cup will play as the curtainraiser to Thursday night’s Rabbitohs v Panthers match, while Jersey Flegg travel to Redfern to

Keiran Mcgarity

PANTHERS

PANTHERS

PANTHERS

PANTHERS

PANTHERS

PANTHERS

PANTHERS

PANTHERS

PANTHERS