NRL 2024: Penrith Panthers win 26-20 over North Queensland Cowboys

The Penrith Panthers have held back a second half onslaught from North Queensland, as the struggling Cowboys continue their slide down the NRL ladder.

The Panthers have survived a Cowboys comeback to secure their fifth win of the season. Picture: NRL Imagery

Nathan Cleary steered the Penrith Panthers to 26-20 victory in his return game in Townsville as the struggling Cowboys continued their slide down the ladder despite a valiant fight.

Cleary was clinical in attack and perfect with the tee, and it’s no wonder Penrith’s win rate surges from 71 to 87 per cent with the captain on the field.

The air was sucked out of the noisy home crowd when the Cowboys conceded a try to Brian To’o within minutes of the opening whistle but in the end it was a wholly improved performance from the North Queenslanders.

The Panthers have survived a Cowboys comeback to secure their fifth win of the season. Picture: NRL Imagery

The Panthers made uncharacteristic mistakes and were outplayed for large swathes of the game but the class of the three-time premiers shone through as they secured the two competition points.

All of North Queensland’s field position and pressure amounted to just four points in the first half while a heartbreaking intercept try seconds from the break put Penrith in control with an 18-4 lead.

The Panthers weathered an onslaught in the second half, surviving a flurry of tries from the Cowboys to prove their premiership credentials with the six-point win.

Nathan Cleary steered his side to victory in his first game back from injury. Picture: Getty Images

BRIAN 10’0 STRIKES FIRST

To’o continued his incredible streak of scoring against the Cowboys as he celebrated his 100th game in the NRL.

To’o was dynamite with every touch and showed why he’s considered one of the most evasive players in the competition with 18 tackle breaks and 2 linebreaks.

Since debuting in 2019, the powerful winger has scored a try in all six games he has played against the Cowboys, for a total of seven four-pointers.

To’o joined Steve Turner and Israel Folau as the only players who have scored in six straight games against North Queensland.

The Cowboys fought back bravely in the second half, but poor decisions and errors cost them in the end. Picture: Getty Images

DECISIONS AND ERRORS COST COWBOYS

North Queensland were well and truly in the fight for periods of the match but they were punished by errors at inopportune moments and poor decision-making.

Penrith’s second try came just after Mitch Kenny put a huge hit on Valentine Holmes to force an error following a 20m restart. That allowed To’o to take a rampaging run, going close to the line before Dylan Edwards cut through to score on the next play.

Then with less than 30 seconds on the clock in the first half Scott Drinkwater forced an unneeded cut-out pass towards Valemei but it was easily picked off by Paul Alamoti for a 60m try.

When the Cowboys needed to be at their best to open the second half, Semi Valemei failed to defuse a bomb and the ball bounced right into Liam Martin’s breadbasket for the simplest try of his career.

INJURY REPORT

North Queensland will be forced to find a new right centre after Tom Chester went down with a hamstring injury in the first half.

Chester has been filling in for Zac Laybutt – who is out for the season – meaning Todd Payten has limited backline options for next week’s game with the Dolphins.

Viliami Vailea appears most likely to come into the squad if Murray Taulagi is not fit to return.

NORTH QUEENSLAND: 20 (S. Valemei, V. Holmes, K. Finefeuiaki, J. Nanai tries; V. Holmes (2) goals)

PENRITH: 26 (B. To’o, D. Edwards, P. Alamoti, L. Martin tries; N. Cleary (5) goals)

Originally published as NRL 2024: Penrith Panthers win 26-20 over North Queensland Cowboys