SG Ball: Penrith Panthers beat Victoria Thunderbolts to continue finals charge

A brilliant first-minute try to Panthers fullback Kristian Li Mai against the Victoria Thunderbolts set the tone for Penrith to continue their push for a spot in the finals.

Kristian Li Mai makes a break. Picture: Toby Zerna

Penrith overcame a gritty Victoria Thunderbolts side 32-22 in the only SG Ball match that wasn’t rained out on Saturday.

A brilliant first-minute try to Panthers fullback Kristian Li Mai set the tone for the high-scoring and competitive affair at Casey Fields in Melbourne.

“We got a penalty on the first tackle … and Kristian just went through untouched,” Panthers coach Jono Rolfe said. “It was pretty crafty from our spine and well set up by our middles they laid the platform.”

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Kristian Li Mai starred for the Panthers. Picture: Toby Zerna

Rolfe praised Li Mai, who finished on a double, as well as Jack Cole, Ilai Tuia and Mason Teague for their hit outs.

“We’re stoked with the win, great team effort and very professional. Next week, we’re onto Manly, it’ll be a huge game for us, we need to keep winning to make the semi-finals” Rolfe said.

Victoria pathways and coaching manager Tim Auremi was impressed with the Thunderbolts — especially the efforts of tryscorers and local juniors Sualauvi Faalogo and Zacharius Fuimaono.

“(Penrith) jumped out to an early lead, it was 12-0 after five minutes, it was looking like it was going to be a bit of a white wash but our guys hung in there” Auremi said.

“Our fullback Sualauvi played really well, scored a good try. He’s a bit cheeky, he plays a very elusive style of footy

“Our winger Zacharius did well too, strong ball carrier and really good on his feet.”

Auremi said he was pleased with the Thunderbolts’ progress this season, especially after COVID-19 lockdowns saw most Victorian juniors play limited footy in 2020.

“COVID threw a big spanner in the works with how we do things down here, but to the boys’ and staffs’ credit we’ve got them all together and they’re playing footy, and that’s all that matters” Auremi said.

Wet weather forced NSWRL officials to postpone all other SG Ball, Harold Matthews and Tarsha Gale Cup Round 7 games to the weekend of April 10-11.

Semi-finals will be played across April 17-18 and grand finals will take place on May 1.