The Penrith Panthers have snatched a last minute victory from the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
Both teams left nothing in the tank in a performance worthy of the finals. Jamie Soward dictated play for the Panthers, while corresponding half Mitchell Pearce did his best to steer his side to victory.
The first half was full of mistakes as both sides tried to remain composed. The Sydney Roosters made several handling errors and poor decisions with the ball early, finishing the half with a disappointing 13/21 completion rate.
Penrith showed that they were ready for the finals with some good early heavy hits in the forwards and through some organised solid defense.
Outside backs Jamal Idris and Josh Mansour compensated for some poor ball control early for the Panthers, with some quick, hard runs up the middle.
The Panthers scored through Mansour in the corner in the 25th minute. Though Jamie Soward missed the conversion, the Panthers looked rejuvenated.
Rising to the challenge, the Roosters held on to the ball and, on the back of a couple of penalties, looked threatening.
They were rewarded through a sensational, determined run from star centre Michael Jennings. He took on the line and crashed over in the corner with 10 minutes left in the half. James Maloney kicked the Roosters into the lead 6-4 to close out the half.
Pearce was not satisfied with his team’s effort. “We have got to tighten things up, we are way too loose,” he commented at the break.
The Roosters shot out of the blocks in the second half. Shaun Kenny-Dowall finished a sneaky, blind-side play with stretching out in the corner for a 12-4 lead.
Two penalties on the back of some ill-discipline from the Roosters gave the Panthers field position and they capatalised. Dean Whare stepped twice off his right foot, showing some class to beat the Roosters’ line from 15 metres out and the difference was back to two points.
The Sydney Roosters were put back on their heels as the Panthers began to control the match. Soward kicked them level (12-12) through a penalty against Mitchell Pearce for slowing the play and momentum was well and truly with the Panthers.
In a frenetic final 15 minutes, Roosters play-maker James Maloney left the field with an ankle injury only to return minutes later.
Both teams threw everything at each other. Mitchell Pearce shaped to kick a field-goal, sold the dummy and ran through to score near the posts and the Roosters looked home.
The Panthers were not done. Dean Whare scored a miraculous try in the corner after Dallin Watene-Zelezniak leaped over the sideline and flicked the ball back in play. Soward kicked the clutch-conversion to lock the scores at 18-18 with two minutes on the clock.
Jennings lost control of the ball, handing possession to the Panthers and a chance to snatch victory. Jamie Soward stabbed a low-flying drop-kick from 40-metres out to win the game for the Panthers 19-18
“That feels awesome!” Soward commented seconds after kicking the goal that clinched the match.
“We do [deserve the week off]. We’ve worked hard all year and it’s nice to get the result tonight.”
The Sydney Roosters must now win the elimination final next week in order make the grand final and defend their title.
