Warriors lose to Panthers in top-of-the-table classic
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Panthers and Warriors produced a top-class showdown to close Round 13 with Dylan Edwards and Casey McLean playing starring roles in a 20-18 win for Penrith.
The Warriors recovered from 16-6 down at half-time to hit the front 18-16 after Alofiana Khan-Pereira's try but Paul Alamoti's second try of the night in the 70th minute was enough to get Penrith home and take them four points clear at the top of the ladder.
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Both sides tore into each other at CommBank Stadium in a high-quality contest that featured elite completion rates (Panthers 92%, Warriors 89%) and scintillating attack from the likes of McLean, Alamoti and Taine Tuaupiki, who ran for 225 metres and broke 10 tackles.
Kiwi centre Casey McLean showed his class, with two first-half tries for Penrith helping his side to a 16-6 halftime advantage.
Alamoti also scored in the first 40 minutes and the Warriors needed to score next after the break to stay competitive.
The visitors came back when halfback Te Maire Martin put fullback Taine Tuaupiki over for a try and then Khan-Pereira took full advantage of Alamoti's misfortune.
The Warriors were without Origin players Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell, had three tries disallowed and only a despairing cover tackle from Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards stopped second-rower Jacob Laban from snatching a late game winner.
The Warriors remain second on the ladder with nine wins and three losses.
Panthers 20 (Casey McLean 2, Paul Alamoti 2 tries; Alamoti 2 con) Warriors 18 (Jacob Laban, Taine Tuapiki, Alofiana Khan-Pereira tries; Adam Pompey 3 con). HT: 16-6.
