PANTHERS CLAIM KEY VICTORIES

The Penrith Panthers have kicked off their Knock-On Effect NSW Cup premiership defence with an 18-12 victory over the North Sydney Bears at BlueBet Stadium last Friday evening.

It was a tight opening quarter of the match, but it was the visitors who eventually opened the scoring when they found space down Penrith’s right edge.

Two quick runaway tries to Tyrone Peachey and Isaiah Iongi gave the Panthers a 12-6 lead at half-time.

They scored again six minutes after the resumption when a huge hole opened in the defensive line, allowing new recruit Jack Cogger to stroll through and extend the lead to 18-6.