NRL round 26: Panthers run over Sharks
The Penrith Panthers had no trouble with the Cronulla Sharks at home in CUA Stadium over the weekend.
The Panthers dominated the Sharks at home, scoring nine tries in the round 26 competition on Saturday. The Panthers were in control of the match from start to finish as the Sharks struggled to get on the board. The Penrith side took an impressive 22-point lead into half-time. After the break the home side did not let up, as they rolled to a decisive 50-12 win.
Recap
The Panthers dominance was never in doubt as they got on the board only three minutes into the match with a try from Frank Pritchard. Michael Gordon completed the first of his many conversions on the day to give the home side a quick 6-0 lead.
Penrith would go on to score another three tries before the half-hour mark courtesy of Michael Jennings, Brad Tighe and a second from Pritchard. Gordon was able to complete all three conversions and the Panthers had a 24-0 lead inside of the 30-minute mark.
The Sharks were able to get on the board in the 33rd minute with a try from Blake Ferguson and a conversion from Luke Covell, cutting the lead to 24-6.
Jennings added his second try of the match in the 39th minute allowing the home side to take a 28-6 lead into half-time.
After the break it was more of the same from the Panthers, with Wade Graham crossing the try-line only four minutes into the second stanza. Gordon hammered home the conversion and the Panthers lead grew to 34-6.
The Sharks Nathan Gardner responded in the 58th minute and Covell put through his second conversion of the day to add six to the Sharks total.
The Panthers would go on to score another three tries, allowing Pritchard to grab the hat-trick and Tighe to record his second, while Nathan Smith got over for the first time on the day.
The Panthers had no trouble with an inept Sharks side cruising to an impressive victory.
Analysis
The Panthers were able to keep second spot and home field advantage with the win and will see the Canberra Raiders in the first round of the play-offs.
The Sharks meanwhile struggled all season, never really finding their form. With only seven wins on the year and a 14th place finish they have a great deal of work to do before next year.
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