NRL 2016: Penrith Panthers defeat Sydney Roosters on soaked Allianz Stadium

THE Roosters remain anchored to the bottom of the NRL ladder following a tough loss to Penrith on a rain soaked Allianz Stadium.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 18: Josh Mansour of the Panthers is tackled during the round seven NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Penrith Panthers at Allianz Stadium on April 18, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

THE glamorous Sydney Roosters — minor premiers for the past three years — remain anchored to the bottom of the NRL competition table after seven rounds.

Yep, stone-motherless last. No-one could have — or would have — predicted such a nightmare for this famous foundation club.

The cavalry is close to returning — but will it be too late?

In driving rain at Allianz Stadium, the Roosters crashed to their sixth defeat in seven games this season. Like last night’s weather, the Roosters’ season is slowly being washed away.

Penrith, the team which competes with vigour every week, recorded a gritty and deserved 20-16 win.

The Roosters have their reasons for running 16th but they still sent out a team last night with seven Origin or international players. Running last simply isn’t accepted at Bondi.

Suspended Sydney Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce is due back in round nine against Newcastle at Hunter Stadium — the round after next Monday’s ANZAC Day game against St George Illawarra at Allianz Stadium. Pearce will no doubt feel he owes the club — big-time — after such a lengthy suspension.

Enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is due back from a knee injury in the same match. Roosters and NSW forward Boyd Cordner (pectoral) could be back for the Dragons game. Their return cannot come quick enough.

The Roosters roared back into the game with an extraordinary try in the 60th minute to fullback Latrell Mitchell, his second for the game. The ball shot through sevens players — and included a kick — before Mitchell burst through a hole to score. It was razzle dazzle stuff.

Penrith though held tight to secure their third win of the season.

The Panthers pushed ahead their halftime advantage when centre Waqa Blake scored a scintillating individual try. Blake ran 45 metres on a diagonal run past four defenders to score a wonderful try.

Both sides scored two first half tries each, Penrith leading 14-10 at the break.

Penrith started the scoring in the seventh minute when winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak slid over out wide after a final pass from skipper Matt Moylan.

It came after Mitchell dropped the ball coming off his line on a kick-return on tackle one. The penalty was a 50/50 call, Penrith players in and around a congested play the ball. Jamie Soward converted from the sideline to give Penrith an early 6-0 lead.

Mitchell dropped another ball on tackle on later in the half.

Soward then kicked a penalty goal three minutes later after a crusher tackle penalty, Penrith ahead by 8-0. Panthers winger Josh Mansour had a strong start to the game with a couple of robust carries and one super try-saving tackle. He is certainly in the State of Origin frame for NSW.

Mitchell then made up for his earlier error with a powerful surge which pushed through the Panthers defence for a try. There were four defenders in front of Mitchell, but he crashed through each of them to score a strong try.

He certainly runs like Greg Inglis. Roosters halfback Jackson Hastings converted to reduce Penrith’s lead to just two points.

Just when the Roosters had some momentum, Penrith snatched it back in the 29th minute. Forward Suaia Matagi slipped a lovely ball to rising star Te Maire Martin, who scored next to the goalposts. Soward converted, Penrith ahead by 14-6.

Roosters centre Blake Ferguson pushed his side back into the game when he crashed over the top of Soward to score near halftime. It was bad one-on-one miss by Soward.

Originally published as NRL 2016: Penrith Panthers defeat Sydney Roosters on soaked Allianz Stadium