Match Report: Round 18 vs Panthers

The home side led the match within the final ten minutes of play but could not hold on to claim victory against the defending premiers.

Penrith made a fast start to the match as Viliame Kikau made a break with his first touch of the ball, but Jackson Hastings scrambled back to make a try-saving intercept.

On the back of Hastings’ effort, Wests Tigers scored the first try of the afternoon as Asu Kepaoa displayed silky footwork to draw in one defender and pass to an unmarked Junior Tupou.

Taylan May looked all but certain to level the scores minutes later, but a desperate one-on-one tackle from Ken Maumalo denied the Panthers’ winger.

However, the potent Penrith attack wouldn’t be denied again as Izack Tago broke away and beat Daine Laurie to the tryline with an acrobatic dive.

The Panthers then moved eight points clear when Daine Laurie received a wicked bounce of the football, leaving Viliame Kikau to plant the ball underneath the posts.

Missed tackles and errors continued to hamper the home team as they tried to fight back, but a knock-on from Mitch Kenny gave Wests Tigers an attacking chance late in the half.

It only took Adam Doueihi one play to capitalise on the field position, making a strong run to the line to score his first try since returning from the ACL injury that sidelined him for the first half of the season.

Asu Kepaoa looked to have scored a miraculous try in the final seconds of the half, but an offside penalty ensured Penrith would maintain their two point advantage into the break.

After a slow start to the second period, Penrith received back-to-back penalties and marched back into attacking territory.

However, the Wests Tigers right-side defence was too strong as they combined to throw Izack Tago over the Western touchline.

Junior Tupou looked to have scored his second try of the afternoon, but Justin Matamua was penalised for an obstruction in the lead up.

The visitors couldn’t keep Brett Kimmorley’s side out for long though, with Ken Maumalo rising above the pack to claim a Jackson Hastings kick.

Adam Doueihi slotted the conversion to give his team a four point lead with ten minutes remaining.

The relentless Penrith attack continued to chip away at the home side’s defence, and eventually broke through as Scott Sorensen streaked downfield.

Sorensen was pulled down in a strong tackle from Daine Laurie, but James Fisher-Harris would cross for the match-winner later in the set.

Following their victory, Penrith became the first team to hoist the Royce Simmons Cup.

Despite the loss, there were several strong performances from the home side as the entire back five ran for over 100 metres. Adam Doueihi was particularly dynamic, making nine tackle breaks to go with his four-pointer.

Wests Tigers will now turn their attention to a two-game Queensland road trip as they travel to face the Cowboys and Broncos in back-to-back weeks.