NRL Round 13 - Rabbitohs vs Panthers
- Thread starter aussie1st
- Start date
Souths slip past PanthersJune 8th 2007 11:57
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have returned to the winners circle with a 14-4 shut out of the Penrith Panthers at Telstra Stadium on Friday night.
The Rabbitohs played close to the perfect brand of wet weather football in the inclement weather conditions, with the two tries to nil victory secured on the back of a dominant second half display.
Sydney’s atrocious weather conditions meant that this Telstra Stadium clash would turn into a forward dominated, arm wrestle, with the driving rain and slippery conditions making possession a priority.
South Sydney had the better of the opening exchanges, with a handful of penalties against the ill-disciplined Panthers affording the home side handy field position.
The Rabbitohs opened the scoring in the 5th minute through a try to winger Paul Mellor. Souths backrower Dean Widders poked a pinpoint grubber in behind the Panthers defensive line, with Mellor claiming to slide over in the corner. Nathan Merritt’s sideline conversion attempt drifted wide in the driving rain, with Souths taking an early 4-0 advantage.
A 32nd minute penalty goal to Panthers centre Michael Gordon got the visitors on the board, with the continuous rain making any point scoring opportunities critical.
The Panthers drew level a minute before halftime, with an accidental offside penalty against Souths allowing Gordon to tie the scores up at 4 all at the break.
Rabbitohs five-eighth Ben Rogers had the perfect chance to extend the home sides lead just after half time, with the rookie number six losing control of the greasy ball whilst attempting the grounding.
A contentious penalty goal to Merritt in the 61st minute extended the home sides lead to 6-4, with the spritely winger receiving a disputable penalty for a Panthers ruck infringement.
The Panthers continued to struggle with the ruck and kick style of play, preferring to chance their arm in the slippery conditions. Penrith’s loose style of play proved to be their downfall however, with the visitors continually handing over possession on the wrong side of the halfway line.
Merritt put the Rabbitohs out to an 8-4 lead with ten minutes left on the clock, after Peter Wallace caught Souths backrower David Fa’alogo with a high shot.
Inspirational Souths skipper David Peachey crossed for the match winning try in the 76th minute, with video referee Phil Cooley awarding a benefit of the doubt decision to the Rabbitohs custodian. Merritt duly converted to secure the hard fought 14-4 victory.
South Sydney will tussle with the Manly Sea-Eagles at Brookvale Oval next Friday night, whilst the Penrith Panthers will host the Sydney Roosters at CUA Stadium next Saturday night.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 14
Tries: Paul Mellor, David Peachey
Goals: Nathan Merritt 3
Penrith Panthers 4
Tries:
Goals: Michael Gordon 2
At Telstra Stadium
Looks like i lost another 1.9k
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have returned to the winners circle with a 14-4 shut out of the Penrith Panthers at Telstra Stadium on Friday night.
The Rabbitohs played close to the perfect brand of wet weather football in the inclement weather conditions, with the two tries to nil victory secured on the back of a dominant second half display.
Sydney’s atrocious weather conditions meant that this Telstra Stadium clash would turn into a forward dominated, arm wrestle, with the driving rain and slippery conditions making possession a priority.
South Sydney had the better of the opening exchanges, with a handful of penalties against the ill-disciplined Panthers affording the home side handy field position.
The Rabbitohs opened the scoring in the 5th minute through a try to winger Paul Mellor. Souths backrower Dean Widders poked a pinpoint grubber in behind the Panthers defensive line, with Mellor claiming to slide over in the corner. Nathan Merritt’s sideline conversion attempt drifted wide in the driving rain, with Souths taking an early 4-0 advantage.
A 32nd minute penalty goal to Panthers centre Michael Gordon got the visitors on the board, with the continuous rain making any point scoring opportunities critical.
The Panthers drew level a minute before halftime, with an accidental offside penalty against Souths allowing Gordon to tie the scores up at 4 all at the break.
Rabbitohs five-eighth Ben Rogers had the perfect chance to extend the home sides lead just after half time, with the rookie number six losing control of the greasy ball whilst attempting the grounding.
A contentious penalty goal to Merritt in the 61st minute extended the home sides lead to 6-4, with the spritely winger receiving a disputable penalty for a Panthers ruck infringement.
The Panthers continued to struggle with the ruck and kick style of play, preferring to chance their arm in the slippery conditions. Penrith’s loose style of play proved to be their downfall however, with the visitors continually handing over possession on the wrong side of the halfway line.
Merritt put the Rabbitohs out to an 8-4 lead with ten minutes left on the clock, after Peter Wallace caught Souths backrower David Fa’alogo with a high shot.
Inspirational Souths skipper David Peachey crossed for the match winning try in the 76th minute, with video referee Phil Cooley awarding a benefit of the doubt decision to the Rabbitohs custodian. Merritt duly converted to secure the hard fought 14-4 victory.
South Sydney will tussle with the Manly Sea-Eagles at Brookvale Oval next Friday night, whilst the Penrith Panthers will host the Sydney Roosters at CUA Stadium next Saturday night.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 14
Tries: Paul Mellor, David Peachey
Goals: Nathan Merritt 3
Penrith Panthers 4
Tries:
Goals: Michael Gordon 2
At Telstra Stadium
Looks like i lost another 1.9k
