Penrith Panthers beat Parramatta Eels 17-10 in NRL round 18

IVAN Cleary is standing by his decision to release Luke Walsh despite the playmaker saving the Panthers with his brilliant kicking game.

IVAN Cleary was on Saturday night standing by his decision to release Luke Walsh despite the playmaker saving the Panthers from a humbling loss with his brilliant kicking game.

LIVE MATCH CENTRE: EELS v PANTHERS

Walsh prevented one of the upsets of the season, with the England-bound halfback setting up two tries and killing off a spirited Eels performance with a 78th-minute field goal.

He tormented Parramatta with his precise kicking and dragged the Panthers back into the top eight with a seven-point victory in the western derby.

With Walsh's replacement for next season Jamie Soward battling away in the English Super League, Cleary was asked if he had made the right call in off-loading him for the Dragons discard.

"You make decisions and both parties have come to an agreement," Cleary said.

"It is best just to move forward. I am just looking forward to working with him over the next eight weeks."

Cleary praised Walsh for his performance but said he did not regret letting the playmaker walk from his deal a year early to sign with St Helens.

"I don't want to talk about recruitment and retention," Cleary said. "His 40/20 in the first half was a big play and we scored off the back of that. And most of the time he kicked really well. There is probably one he wants back, but I am pretty happy to get the points.

Eels v Penrith

"I was really impressed with Luke's defence tonight and he worked hard for the team.

"To his credit, he came out and worked hard for his team and he has shown that since his announcement."

Eels coach Ricky Stuart conceded that Walsh stopped his side from upsetting the Panthers and rebounding from last Monday night's mauling by the Sea Eagles.

"I am really pleased with how we played," Stuart said. "It was enjoyable to be a coach up there because they had a good attitude and tried hard.

"We had a dig and played right to the 80th minute.

"They have a great attitude and work ethic in their preparation. It was a good feeling to know we were in there and really busting a gut.

"You look at Luke Walsh. If we didn't play against such a good kicking game we would have won. His kicking game was really tactically smart."

Walsh said he was happy with his impending move to the UK and admitted the pressure valve had been turned off since signing the deal.

Eels v Penrith

"What's done is done," Walsh said. "I am just concentrating on helping the Panthers. I think I just have confidence - that is a big thing for me and it is just about getting in and playing tough.

"I think I put too much pressure on myself at the start of the year.

"Since everything went down, I have just relaxed and it had made it easier."

Fellow potential Panthers outcast Kevin Kingston was also instrumental in the win, with the unsigned veteran beating four defenders on his way to scoring a solo try.

Winger David Simmons continued his scorching form with another two tries.

PENRITH 17 (D Simmons 2 K Kingston tries L Walsh 2 goals L Walsh field goal) PENRITH 17 (D Simmons 2 K Kingston tries L Walsh 2 goals L Walsh field goal) bt PARRAMATTA 10 (L Kelly B Wiliame tries J Mullaney goal) at Parramatta Stadium. Referee: Jared Maxwell, Henry Perenara. Crowd: 9,327. (L Kelly B Wiliame tries J Mullaney goal) at Parramatta Stadium. Referee: Jared Maxwell, Henry Perenara. Crowd: 9,327.