PENRITH PANTHERS 24 CANTERBURY BULLDOGS 10
STEPHEN IBBETSON, CommBank Stadium, Friday

PENRITH did their bit in the three-way tussle for the minor premiership as Nathan Cleary steered them past top-eight hopefuls Canterbury.

The halfback kicked six goals, including three penalties, while Dylan Edwards was a threat from fullback and Liam Martin scored two tries in the back row.

Edwards created the opening try for Martin after eight minutes, although the most notable feature of the first half was the Panthers’ defensive resolve.

Desperate covering kept the Bulldogs at bay for some time, until Lachlan Galvin’s sharp pass put Matt Burton over.

Stephen Crichton couldn’t convert, so Penrith – who had Isaiah Papali’i making his 200th NRL appearance – kept a lead which was extended to 8-4 on the stroke of half-time by a Cleary penalty.

Four minutes into the second half, fullback Connor Tracey fumbled a wicked Cleary bomb and Martin gratefully scored his second try.

Another Cleary penalty took the Panthers to a twelve-point advantage before Galvin sent Jacob Preston through and Crichton converted for a one-score game on the hour.

But a third Cleary penalty, followed by Casey McLean’s surge inside from the wing, gave them the necessary breathing room for victory ahead of the final-round shoot-out for top spot.

PANTHERS: 1 Dylan Edwards, 2 Thomas Jenkins, 3 Izack Tago, 4 Casey McLean, 5 Brian To’o, 6 Jack Cole, 7 Nathan Cleary, 9 Moses Leota, 9 Freddy Lussick, 10 Liam Henry, 11 Isaiah Papali’i, 12 Liam Martin, 13 Lindsay Smith. Subs: 14 Billy Scott, 15 Scott Sorensen, 16 Luke Garner, 17 Billy Phillips, 18 Blaize Talagi (not used), 20 Kalani Leuluai-Going

Tries: Martin (8, 43), McLean (67); Goals: Cleary 6/6

BULLDOGS: 1 Connor Tracey, 2 Jacob Kiraz, 3 Matt Burton, 4 Bronson Xerri, 5 Enari Tuala, 6 Stephen Crichton, 7 Lachlan Galvin, 8 Max King, 9 Bailey Hayward, 10 Leo Thompson, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Jacob Preston, 13 Jaeman Salmon. Subs: 14 Jake Turpin, 15 Alekolasimi Jones, 16 Harry Hayes, 17 Josh Curran (not used), 19 Sean O’Sullivan (not used), 23 Cooper Toy

Tries: Burton (25), Preston (60); Goals: Crichton 1/2

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 6-4, 8-4; 14-4, 16-4, 16-10, 18-10, 24-10

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Panthers: Nathan Cleary; Bulldogs: Jacob Preston

Penalty count: 6-7; Half-time: 8-4; Referee: Gerard Sutton; Attendance: 19,979