Round 21
Penrith Panthers 32 d. South Sydney Rabbitohs 16

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Panthers defeat Rabbitohs
Mon August 6, 2007
Source: www.souths.com.au

The Penrith Panthers have defeated the South Sydney Rabbitohs 32 points to 16 at CUA Stadium in Penrith tonight (Saturday) in front of 10,845 fans.

The Panthers won on the back of clever running from hooker Luke Priddis, a smart kicking game from Craig Gower and Peter Wallace, and weight of possession.

The Rabbitohs fought the whole way but couldn't control the ball at key times, particularly in the second half.

Two of the game's young up-and-coming stars in Fetuli Talanoa and Michael Jennings scored doubles.

The Rabbitohs didn't start the game as planned, getting caught in the in-goal from the opening kick off. From the ensuing set, the Rabbitohs held out the Panthers in their now trademark way on their own line.

The Rabbitohs struck first with winger Fetuli Talanoa scoring in the fourth minute. Roy Asotasi ran a run-around play with John Sutton on the left, drawing the defence and creating some space for Talanoa down the left hand flank. Talanoa carried two defenders over the line and scored a 'benefit of the doubt' try in the corner. Nathan Merritt's conversion attempt from the touchline hit the posts for a four-point lead early.

The Rabbitohs held the Panthers out again on their own line in the 15th minute and two minutes later former Panther Ben Rogers crossed for the Rabbitohs. He beat three defenders from 10 metres out, spinning out of the tackle of rookie fullback Jarrod Sammut to score. Merritt converted to give the visitors a 10-nil lead after 20 minutes.

The Rabbitohs' defence held strong again in the 26th minute, repelling three raids on their line, but the strength of halfback Craig Gower got the Panthers their first points in the 30th minute when he crossed on the right hand side of the field. Sammut converted to take the scoreline to 10-6 in favour of the red and greens.

The Panthers struck again four minutes later through Kiwi international Frank Pritchard. Sammut offloaded to Pritchard who stormed through to score, levelling the scores at 10-all.

The Rabbitohs fell asleep in the final 15 minutes of the half when they seemed to be cruising. Roy Asotasi was making good metres and getting quick play-the-balls, with Ben Rogers, Dean Widders and Eddie Paea all looking dangerous in attack. Issac Luke and Asotasi were strong in defence for the Rabbitohs. For the Panthers, returning hooker Luke Priddis and Gower were running the show, with Pritchard making metres out wide.

The Rabbitohs bombed a chance to score in the 42nd minute after Rogers made a long break from deep in his own half. The ball was spilled and the opportunity lost. The Panthers then bombed a chance of their own in the 46th minute with some poor handling.

Talanoa scored his second try of the night with an 85 metre intercept try. Talanoa snapped up the looping Peter Wallace pass and raced the distance, saluting the judges 10 metres out from the line with his hand in the air. Merritt converted from in front to give the Rabbitohs six-point advantage.

The Panthers struck back immediately through Matthew Cross who scored to right of the posts. Sammut converted to level the scores at 16 with 26 minutes left in the game.

The Panthers hit the lead for the first time when Michael Jennings scored in the 60th minute off a loose Wallace cross field kick. Sammut missed the conversion giving the home side a four point lead, 20-16.

In the 61st minute, both Shannon Hegarty and Shannan McPherson looked to be put on report for a lifting tackle on Mark O'Halloran.

Jennings crossed again in the 64th minute when Nigel Vagana raced out of the line looking for an intercept. Sammut converted to give the Panthers a 10-point lead with just 15 minutes left on the clock.

Hooker Issac Luke crossed the line for the Rabbitohs in the 78th minute with the video referee deliberating for several minutes before denying the try, ruling it was knocked on over the line.

Maurice Blair crossed in the final minute with Jarrod Sammut converting, giving the Panthers their sixth win of the season.

The Rabbitohs made too many errors and didn't amass enough possession to be able seal the game. Dropped balls at key times cost them, despite having the Panthers on the back foot quite a few times during the match. The Panthers made the most of their second-half opportunities and it paid dividends.

With results going the way they have been so far in round 21, the Rabbitohs are still in touch with the top eight. The Rabbitohs move on to play the St George Illawarra Dragons at WIN Stadium next Saturday night at 7:30pm.

Penrith Panthers 32 (Michael Jennings 2, Craig Gower, Frank Pritchard, Matthew Cross, Maurice Blair tries; Jarrod Sammut 4 goals)

defeated

South Sydney Rabbitohs 16 (Fetuli Talanoa 2, Ben Rogers tries; Nathan Merritt 2 goals)

Report source: www.souths.com.au


Rabbitohs announce team for round 21 against Penrith
Tue July 31, 2007
Source: www.souths.com.au

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are pleased to announce their side to take on the Penrith Panthers in round 21 of the NRL Telstra Premiership this Saturday 4 August at 7.30pm at CUA Stadium. Coach Jason Taylor has named the same side which defeated the Gold Coast Titans 20-14 in round 20.

The Rabbitohs NRL side is:

1. Nathan Merritt
2. Fetuli Talanoa
3. Nigel Vagana
4. Shannon Hegarty
5. Paul Mellor
6. Ben Rogers
7. Eddie Paea
8. Peter Cusack (c)
9. Issac Luke
10. Roy Asotasi (c)
11. John Sutton
12. David Fa'alogo
13. Dean Widders

Interchange:
14. Shane Rigon
15. Luke Stuart
16. Shannan McPherson
17. Scott Geddes

Coach - Jason Taylor

News sent by: www.souths.com.au

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