ROUND-UP
By CALLUM WALKER and TOM SMITH
Issah Yeo looks to break through for the Panthers
PENRITH just about clung on with their Panther claws against a reinvigorated St George side who were hit hard by two sinbins either side of half-time.
Jaydn Su’A and Zac Lomax were both given a ten-minute break, but that didn’t stop the Dragons getting to within four points of a shock win.
The Panthers hit first, Viliame Kikau charging down a kick to storm over on his 100thhcareer appearance before Tyrell Sloan hit back with a glorious catch and put down.
6-6 became 8-6 to Penrith shortly after with a Crichton penalty when Su’A was sinbinned for a controversial late tackle and that lead was extended to eight on the half-hour mark as Spencer Leniu crashed over.
Kikau got his second three minutes later, charging onto a neat pass as Penrith went into the break 20-6 up.
Su’A dotted down after the resumption, but Lomax was sinbinned on 54 minutes for a professional foul.
However, the Panthers couldn’t capitalise. Instead, St George kept up the pressure and got back to within four points with four minutes left through Lomax who latched onto a pinpoint Moses Mbye kick.
Penrith showed their champion quality, though, and held on.
IT was apt that this game was held at the Sydney Cricket Ground because the Roosters looked like they would put a big score on Manly before the Sea Eagles finally responded in the second half.