Panthers pip Raiders, Rabbitohs edge out Titans
The Panthers steal a 23-22 victory over the Raiders via a late Nathan Cleary field goal in Canberra, while the Rabbitohs hang on to beat the Titans 18-16.
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Cleary sinks Raiders as Panthers take the points
Nathan Cleary has backed up from his New South Wales State of Origin debut to be the hero for Penrith, slotting a late field goal as the Panthers snatched a 23-22 victory over Canberra.
With four stars backing up from State of Origin I in Melbourne two days earlier, the Panthers overcame a 10-point deficit with 17 minutes left to win their 10th match of the season on Friday night.
Another Blues ace, Tyrone Peachey, had a major influence on the Canberra Stadium result with a try double and a key role in the Panthers' third touchdown to Dean Whare.
External Link: Raiders – Panthers summary
James Maloney converted Whare's effort to make it 22-22 five minutes from time before Cleary broke the Raiders' hearts.
Penrith shot out to an early eight-point lead before the Raiders got back level by half-time.
But they could not capitalise on being a man up when when forward Kaide Ellis was sin-binned for the second time in his three-game Panthers career late in the first half.
External Link: Raiders – Panthers chalkboard
The Raiders seemed to be running over the top of the visitors, with Elliot Whitehead crossing in the corner to see them go up 20-10.
But they kept losing players.
Joseph Leilua failed a head injury assessment from a hit 90 seconds into the match, while New Zealand international Jordan Rapana succumbed to a hamstring injury after a lively and error-riddled performance that included a try.
Canberra forward Josh Papalii was easily best on field for the Raiders after stepping out for Queensland at the MCG.
External Link: Raiders – Panthers stats
Rabbitohs squeeze past Titans for sixth-straight win
A lethargic but understrength South Sydney has extended its winning streak to six match, defying Gold Coast in an error-riddled match without all four of its State of Origin stars.
The third-placed Rabbitohs prevailed 18-16 in Robina, hanging on despite a superb two-try performance from Titans captain Ryan James.
The Titans endured 10 minutes with 12 men in each half after firebrand Keegan Hipgrave became the first player since Mick Buettner in 2002 to be sin-binned twice in the same game.
External Link: Titans – Rabbitohs summary
In a stop-start affair, what the Titans lacked in discipline, the Rabbitohs made up for in sloppiness.
Both teams butchered tries but South's 16 errors kept the Titans in the game, despite the hosts giving away 12 penalties.
An early second-half penalty proved the difference as each side scored three tries. Alex Johnston's 47th-minute effort was enough to keep the Rabbitohs in front, despite James charging over from close range in the 31st and 59th minutes in his best performance of the season.
The Rabbitohs were without all four Origin representatives after late scratchings Angus Crichton and Damien Cook joined Greg Inglis and Dane Gagai on the sidelines.
External Link: Titans – Rabbitohs chalkboard
Game-ending injuries to Max King (shoulder) and Moeaki Fotuaika (head knock) meant long nights for Gold Coast's Queensland pair Jarrod Wallace and Jai Arrow, who were playing for the second time in three days.
The Titans, in Garth Brennan's rookie coaching season, drop to 4-9 and further adrift of the top eight.
Both teams were wasteful in a first half that produced 10 penalties, 14 errors and a handful of botched try opportunities.
First, the Titans threw away four points when Hipgrave and Dale Copley spoiled each other trying to simultaneously plant the ball.
Then, Robbie Farah dropped the ball over the line after finding acres of space through the ruck from close range.
External Link: Titans – Rabbitohs stats
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