COnverted.
FOUR TRIES FOR THE KID! Staines finishes off a wonderful debut with a fourth. Simple play and he strolled in.
Cleary looked for the kid again, kicks to the wing but Goodwin is there to touch down.
Nails it.
HAT-TRICK FOR STAINES! The boys in the crowd are delighted and so is the winger. It was a wonderful double-pump from Tyrone May right on the chest of Staines, who has had the dream debut.
Ramien volley-ball punches the short kick-off.
Panthers open up on the left again but the kick inside to Cleary is touched down by Townsend.
Johnson adds the two quickly.
Macdonald who made Kogarah his home scoops up a loose ball and goes the distance.
Sideline kick for Cleary. He takes time, nails it.
That was simple. Panthers moved it left to right, then Crichton just strolled in.
Sharks get it back off the short kick-off and Dugan spills it.
Cleary knocks over two more.
Now he is sent to the SIN BIN.
It is a horror minute for Woods. He lost the ball then..
Crichton fumbles it right back.
Sharks try to shift it again, Nene knocks on.
Johnson quickly converts.
Ramien scores with the man advantage, he stepped inside and scores.
PENALTY SHARKS! Accidental offside from the short kick-off.
Cleary adds two more.
Billy Burns can't be stopped! He is clipped high, keeps going and scores.
Sharks were on a roll there, Townsend opts for the kick instead of the numbers which were streaming through. Seven tackle set.
James Tamou is sent to the SIN BIN.
PENALTY SHARKS! SET RESTART quickly followed by..
Cleary back to kicking, tries to curl it but hits the post.
The mates have changed ends and rewarded with a Staines double! Cleary with the perfect kick and Naden taps it into the path of the debutant.
PENALTY PANTHERS! Crusher tackle. Royce Hunt pinged.
Time off here. News from the rooms - Andrew Fifita won't return with a hamstring injury and Siosifa Talakai is helped off after a head clash. Sharks in the wars.
Here we go! Sharks kick-off and the game is back on!
Here we go again! Panthers stroll out, 14-points up, looking to put this game to bed quickly. Sharks walk out a bit more upright after the two late tries, can they produce a memorable comeback? Lets find out.
Johnson with the final kick of the half. He studies it, nails it.
Sharks go bang-bang on the half-time whistle. Brailey saw the space at marker and dives over.
Panthers have clocked off here. Forward pass from the turnover.
The Sharks five-eighth knocks it over.
Sharks hit the board! Smooth pass from Johnson to Nikora sees the big man charge over.
HANG ON! CHALLENGE! Mansour was convinced he didn't lose it.It goes to the side of the ruck. UNSUCCESSFUL.
Mansour all energy but drops it.
Sharks try to move it left but the low pass from Dugan is knocked on.
PENALTY SHARKS! Tamou with the strip..
Sharks aim to go for the power-play through the set, with a few restarts thrown in, but Townsend kicks it for his wing man Ramien, who knocks on. We have a CHALLENGE! It is UNSUCCESSFUL.
Sharks finally get the ball - it has been ten minutes since they touched it - and Johnson forces a dropout.
Crichton gets a second crack, generously, nails the close range effort.
Panthers are red hot! Shift right from the kick-off, Staines got outside his man, timed it perfectly for Edwards to streak away.
Stephen Crichton takes over the kicking duties but blasts it wide.
WELCOME TO THE NRL Charlie! The young back was mobbed by his team mates after he touches down from a simple right side move. Panthers are on fire.
SIX MORE. Cleary tries to kick through but the chasing pack deflects and the half falls on it.
PENALTY PANTHERS! High shot from Woods. Panthers about to roll forward again.
The toughest one tonight for Cleary. He stews over it, walks in and hooks it.
GREEN LIGHTS.. TRY! One look was all they needed. Crichton smashed it into the turf. He went looking for the ball that set and almost split them on the right. He was back in his usual position, quick hands and the tall centre went over.
BUNKER TIME! Stephen Crichton has got himself on the scoresheet.. maybe.
Panthers piling on the pressure here. The count is wiped clear twice, now they have camped on the line.
SET RESTART for the Sharks coming out of trouble. Can they mount something. Nope. Kennedy lost it.
SET RESTART! Panthers running downhill now. First chance to create space on the left and Crichton almost busts them. Nene Macdonald cleans up though for the Sharks.
RED LIGHTS.. NO TRY! ..and he has! Goodwin has mucked it up at the last post. The cover tackle from Edwards helped.
BUNKER TIME! Sharks may have hit back. Goodwin might have basketballed this.
The only thing souring this start is the errors coming out of their own from the Panthers. Tamou mucks up now.
Cleary takes his time, feigns to move in and eventually adds two more.
Panthers go back-to-back! Simple pass from Koroisau to Liam Martin sees the young second rower goes over.
PENALTY PANTHERS! Cleary measures a kick perfectly, forces Dugan into an error then Ramien is offside.
PENALTY PANTHERS! Sharks offside.
Sharks looked threatening with throwing shapes at the Panthers defense. The Panthers held firm though, and Johnson throws it forward to Katoa.
Sharks respond through their defense! Johnson kicked deep and the charging defense sees Mansour muck up the play the ball.
First assignment tonight for Cleary. He nails it.
One chance, one try! Sharks dropped it on halfway and Panthers strike! Youngster Staines went close then Naden strode over off an offload.
KICK-OFF! Panthers kick it high into the gloomy sky at Kogarah. Sharks running left to right of your screen.
Panthers stride confidently onto Kogarah, wearing their Pink Panther gear and look to continue their charge at the top of the competition. Next, the Sharks to some good cheers from the crowd in wearing a gradient blue and black number. Can they upset the competition heavyweights? We will find out now!
Happy Saturday all! We have three fantastic games lined up for you today, and we start with an interesting clash! The high-flying Panthers head to Kogarah for a third time this season to take on a streaking Sharks outfit looking to keep their roll moving. No Moylan for the hosts while the Panthers are mostly full strength! Sit back and enjoy!
Referees & scorers:
Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judges: Todd Smith, Gavin Badger
Video Referee: Jared Maxwell, Bryan Norrie
CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (24)
Tries: Briton Nikora, Blayke Brailey, Jesse Ramien, Nene Macdonald
Field Goals:
Conversions: Shaun Johnson (4/4)
Penalty Goals:
PENRITH PANTHERS (56)
Tries: Brent Naden, Liam Martin, Stephen Crichton (2), Charlie Staines (4), Dylan Edwards, Billy Burns
Field Goals:
Conversions: Nathan Cleary (6/8), Stephen Crichton (1/2)
Penalty Goals: Nathan Cleary (1/1)