It was a contest befitting the bright lights of Las Vegas as the Sharks pushed the Panthers to the brink in an absorbing 28-22 defeat to open the season at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday night (PST).
Trailing 24-10 midway through the second half, Cronulla showed commendable resilience to reduce the margin to two heading into the final 10 minutes as Addin Fonua-Blake marked his club debut with a trademark bulldozing try.
But the reigning premiers ultimately proved a touch too strong, striking the decisive blow when Daine Laurie crossed for his double in the 75th minute.
Match: Panthers v Sharks
Round 1 -
home Team
Panthers
6th Position
away Team
Sharks
12th Position
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
Nevertheless, the Sharks set the tone for the year ahead with standout performances from the likes of front-rower Fonua-Blake (190 metres) and playmaker Braydon Trindall, who produced two try assists and three goals.
Riding the energy of a boisterous crowd in excess of 45,000, it took just three minutes for Cronulla to open the scoring as halfback Nicho Hynes combined with a surging Jesse Ramien on the right edge.
Jesse Ramien Try
While Cronulla continued to threaten in attack, the Panthers quickly warmed to the task. A desperate Will Kennedy saved a certain Penrith try by jolting the ball from Lindsay Smith's grasp, but captain Isaah Yeo wouldn't be denied in the 26th minute as he stepped through some tired middle defence.
With Blayke Brailey then sending the kick-off over the dead-ball line, the Panthers capitalised on the opportunity to go straight back on the hunt. Halfback Nathan Cleary's pin-point chip kick was swallowed by a flying Izack Tago for a spectacular try, the conversion extending the margin to 12-4.
Just when it seemed the champions had all the momentum, Trindall reached into his bag of tricks and served up a four-pointer for second-rower Briton Nikora with a sweet grubber to send Cronulla into half-time down by two.
Briton Nikora Try
The Sharks nearly hit the front after the break when prop Braden Hamlin-Uele powered towards the chalk, but the Bunker found a knock-on in the process.
In a double blow, Penrith promptly marched downfield and crossed for a third try with a slick backline movement finished on the left flank by Laurie, who had replaced Casey McLean early in the contest after a head knock.
The Panthers replicated the feat in the opposite corner minutes later when Cleary and fullback Dylan Edwards teamed up to lay on a try for Paul Alamoti. Cleary maintained his perfect goal-kicking record to stretch the score to 24-10.
It was again Trindall who came up trumps for the Sharks when they needed some magic. This time, the clever five-eighth delivered a delightful short ball to centre Kayal Iro, whose 59th-minute try kept Cronulla within striking distance.
Kayal Iro Try
Marquee signing Fonua-Blake made his mark in the 69th minute, dragging three powerless defenders with him over the line to set up an easy conversion for Trindall.
Addin Fonua-Blake Try
It wasn't enough, however, with Laurie sealing the game for the Panthers after the Sharks were narrowly denied several times by desperate defence.
With next weekend off after returning to Australia, the Sharks will take on the Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Round 2.
