Penrith come back from 14-0 for the second week in a row to beat Souths 18-14
PENRITH have come back from 14-0 down for the second week in a row, this time downing South Sydney 18-14 courtesy of a late Tyrone Peachey try.
Panthers
Don't miss out on the headlines from Panthers. Followed categories will be added to My News.
PENRITH coach Anthony Griffin praised his side’s mental toughness to overcome a repeated dose of first-half wobbles but the slow starts must stop for the Panthers to be a premiership threat.
Almost a week after rallying from 14 points behind to beat Parramatta, the mountain men repeated history to record a remarkable comeback win over a spirited South Sydney.
The Panthers were flat and mistake-riddled in the opening 40, but surged home to secure an impressive victory.
Griffin believes his team’s poor starts aren’t ideal, but he isn’t overly concerned.
“If we were losing and not showing much fight, it would more of an issue,” Griffin reasoned.
“I’d prefer not to be in that position, but it’s a credit to the players and the game goes for 80 minutes.
“We are confident in our ability and I thought we were always going to get our chance and when we did we took it.
“We don’t want to be down like that, but the positive is we are showing fight.
“They are a really mentally tough group that can overcome those disappointments early.”
Panthers captain Peter Wallace revealed the players spoke about last week’s comeback win over Parramatta at the break.
“It was a bit of a carbon copy being down at halftime, but we knew if we could get our fair share of ball in the second half we’d give ourselves a shot,” Wallace said.
“We didn’t help ourselves with turnovers and penalties and we obviously can’t do that every week.”
Centre Tyrone Peachey proved the hero for Penrith, scoring the matchwinning try with five minutes remaining.
Peachey started on the bench, but delivered when it mattered most to secure the two points for the Panthers.
The Wellington-born flyer shrugged off three Souths defenders to plant the ball down.
Griffin said he selected Peachey on the bench to cater for the return of New Zealand Test centre Dean Whare.
In the end, it was “The Peach” who had the Panthers’ faithful on their feet cheering.
“They always a chant for Peach,” the coach grinned.
“He is a cult hero, so they got what they wanted in the end and he scored the winning try.”
Peachey wouldn’t have crossed without the presence of halfback Nathan Cleary.
The boom youngster displayed impressive composure under pressure to find an open Peachey for the game’s defining play.
It’s only March, but Cleary has already proved he is capable of donning NSW’s blue this season.
The classy 20-year-old delivered two try assists for the Panthers and kicked three goals to get his side home in hard fought fashion.
Josh Mansour, Dylan Edwards and Trent Merrin also excelled to help Penrith start the season 2-0 for the first time since 2015.
The Panthers deserve praise for fighting back, but you’ve got to feel for Souths.
Despite missing halfback Adam Reynolds with a knee injury, the Bunnies fought bravely and probably deserved to win.
Rookie Rabbitoh Adam Doueihi impressed on debut with three goals, prompting coach Anthony Seibold to declare: “Adam is our halfback while Reynolds is out”.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ: Saint, sinner, shoosh
UNBEATEN: Warriors down Titans
Thomas and George Burgess also turned back the clock to produce barnstorming performances.
But it mattered little, as the Panthers charged home to remain unbeaten.
In better news for Souths, coach Seibold confirmed star centre Greg Inglis was “fine” despite leaving the field in the 47th minute with concussion following a head clash.
Souths will look to hit back from their 0-2 start when they take on Manly at ANZ Stadium on Saturday, while Penrith play Canterbury at the same venue on Friday.
PENRITH 18 (W Blake T Merrin T Peachey tries N Cleary 3 goals) bt SOUTH SYDNEY 14 (D Cook C Walker tries A Doueihi 3 goals) at Panthers Stadium. Referee: Henry Perenara, David Munro. Crowd: 15,995