Panthers grind out victory in Bathurst

The Panthers outlasted the Wests Tigers in Bathurst on Saturday afternoon to mark their return from the bye with a 22-6 win. 

While the final scoreline gives the impression of a comfortable win for the defending premiers, it was far from a walk in the park and the game sat delicately in the balance until James Fisher-Harris' try nine minutes from time. 

Exemplary ball control in the first half, which saw them complete 20 of 22 sets, was followed by a steely defensive showing in the second from the Panthers, with Dylan Edwards – who failed to finish the final minutes due to a suspected leg injury – reading things brilliantly from the back and lock Isaah Yeo churning through 47 tackles without a miss. 

Despite their own impressive defensive grit in the first half, it was two dropped bombs that ultimately meant the Wests Tigers went into the sheds down 10-6 at the break. 

Spills by Apisai Koroisau and Junior Tupou led directly to Sunia Turuva scoring his double – which gives him eight tries in his past five games – that came after Penrith stripped their opponents for numbers. 

Earlier Tupou had opened the scoring for the visitors and they'd come close to adding a second after a break down the left which ended in a penalty for Justin Olam being tackled off the ball. 

The ball control that was their strength through the first half threatened to be Penrith's undoing early in the second, as they coughed up possession on several occasions to put themselves under pressure. 

But after emerging unscathed through that period they eventually found their breakthrough on 64 minutes, with a try to Paul Alamoti in his club debut and a conversion from Dylan Edwards giving the hosts a 10-point advantage. 

Fisher-Harris powered over with nine to play to confirm the victory, with the loss of Edwards late on being the only possible negative for Ivan Cleary's men at their adopted home away from home.