Panthers too powerful for struggling Cowboys
A James Maloney masterclass has helped Penrith to a significant win over North Queensland, with the Panthers comprehensively accounting for the Cowboys 33-14 in Townsville.
Maloney had a perfect night with the boot, nailing a field goal, scoring a try and setting up three others in a dominant display.
The Cowboys' talismanic halves combination of Michael Morgan and Johnathan Thurston looked strangely lost in comparison, with failed fifth-tackle options and seemingly no answer to the Panthers attack.
External Link: Cowboys v Panthers summary
North Queensland got off to a horror start, with Penrith scoring first points and losing Javid Bowen to a concussion from a high tackle, bringing Ethan Lowe in as a makeshift centre.
The Panthers kept piling on the punishment, with Maloney putting Viliame Kikau through a wide open hole to score their first, before scoring his own when a grubber pinballed off half-a-dozen players and landed back in his arms.
But the Panthers penalty count came back to bite them momentarily when the referees sent James Tamou to the sin-bin for repeat offending.
External Link: Cowboys v Panthers Chalkboard
North Queensland made the most of Tamou's absence, scoring through Kyle Feldt and going into the break down 16-4.
A monstrous run from Jason Taumalolo from the second half kick-off knocked Isaah Yeo out before he hit the ground, putting a finish to his night.
But two more penalty goals saw the Panthers extend their lead to 16 points.
External Link: Cowboys v Panthers stats
Antonio Winterstein got one back for the home side but it was not long before Waqa Blake scored after an aerial mismatch with Lowe.
Things only got worse for the Cowboys with Jordan McLean leaving the field with a foot injury.
A 72nd-minute cut-out pass from Morgan put Feldt over for his second, but it did little to phase the Panthers who snared a field goal and scored one more try to finish the match 19-point victors.
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