As it happened: Sharks toppled by Panthers

Full-time: Penrith have ground the Sharks down on the way to a comprehensive 26-6 victory in Bathurst. The result was a return to the typical Panthers performance of old, where they slowly squeezed the life out of their opponents and did not give an inch. Cronulla threw plenty at Ivan Cleary's men throughout the second half but they just couldn't find a way to breakdown the defensive wall. Panthers 26 - Sharks 6. 

74th minute: Nathan Cleary has taken an opportunity to extend his side's lead, slotting a penalty goal from just right of the posts. The two points came following an escort penalty, with the Panthers tightening their grip on victory. Panthers 26 - Sharks 6. 

71st minute: Penrith just keep turning up with wave after wave of defence. Dylan Edwards made multiple try-savers, while the Sharks struggled to find any gaps in the black wall. The Panthers eventually forced an error and an exit out of their own end. Panthers 24 - Sharks 6. 

67th minute: The Sharks have lodged a Captain's Challenge after a pass was knocked into touch. The Panthers defender looked to have knocked it out but the on-field referee ruled Sione Katoa had knocked it forward before Tom Jenkins touched it. The Bunker confirms the initial ruling and Penrith go on the attack. Panthers 24 - Sharks 6.

62nd minute: We're back to the Bunker after Dylan Edwards appeared to score for the Panthers. The on-field referee thought he'd spotted a knock on and replays confirmed he did spill the ball. But before Edwards got to the line, he made a double movement and Cronulla receive the penalty. Panthers 24 - Sharks 6.

58th minute: The Sharks have finally broken through, with Sione Katoa diving over in the corner. The try came after an uncharacteristic Panthers error in their own half, with Cronulla capitalising on the opportunity to breathe some life into their comeback bid. Meanwhile, Panthers utility Jack Cogger has been ruled out for the rest of the match after copping a head knock in a heavy collision. Panthers 24 - Sharks 6.

55th minute: Just as Cronulla look like they're starting to gain some momentum, up steps Nathan Cleary to produce a brilliant play. This time it's a perfectly executed short line dropout that is low to the ground and a nightmare for the Sharks to gather. Jesse Ramien was unable to pick it up cleanly and his side's attacking opportunity comes to an end. Panthers 24 - Sharks 0.

51st minute: They lead by 24 but Penrith continue to scramble desperately to deny the Sharks. Cronulla had an attacking set of six and came close on both edges but the Panthers scramble defence was up to the task and repelled their opponents. Panthers 24 - Sharks 0.

48th minute: We're off to the Bunker as Penrith look to extend their lead. Tom Jenkins went up for a bomb but held back a Cronulla defender in the process and the Sharks receive a penalty and an exit out of their own half. Panthers 24 - Sharks 0.

45th minute: It's a dream start to the second half for the Panthers and Tom Jenkins has a double. A Jesse Ramien error handed the hosts an early opportunity to extend their lead and they capitalised on the chance. A late offload opened up space for Penrith to shift the ball to the left flank and Jenkins won the race to the corner for his fourth try of the year. Panthers 24 - Sharks 0.

Kick-off: We are back for the second half, with Dylan Edwards kicking off for the Panthers. The hosts scored twice on the stroke of half time to kick clear and Cronulla need to score first if they want to pull off a come from behind victory. We know from last week that they have points in them, they just need to work out a way to crack this staunch Penrith defence. Panthers 18 - Sharks 0.

Half-time: Cronulla have fought desperately to stay in this contest throughout the past 20 minutes but a couple of lapses on the stroke of half-time could provide costly. The Sharks had Penrith pinned inside their own 20-metre zone, only to concede a penalty and give their opponents one last chance to strike before the break. The Panthers didn't need a second invitation and Nathan Cleary scooped up a loose ball to cross under the sticks in the final play of the half. Penrith's defence has been exceptional throughout the opening 40, with Ivan Cleary's men yet to concede a point this season. Panthers 18 - Sharks 0.

35th minute: This time Penrith break through and it's Tom Jenkins who reels a harbour bridge pass in, beats a defender and scores in the corner. The try came after the Panthers received a penalty from a kick contest and the Sharks weren't able to repel another Penrith set of six. Panthers 12 - Sharks 0.

28th minute: Cronulla just keep hanging on and turning the Panthers away. Penrith look like they have their opponents on the ropes but they can't break through for their second try of the night. This time the Sharks have managed to regather a drop out, easing the pressure before Blayke Brailey earned his side a six again. Panthers 0 - Sharks 6. 

23rd minute: We're off to the Bunker after Cronulla put up a bomb and Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards spilled the ball. Sharks centre KL Iro made contact with Edwards before the ball arrived and the Panthers receive a penalty. Panthers 6 - Sharks 0.

22nd minute: The game continues to be played at a rapid speed, with Penrith largely generating the better of the chances. A Cronulla error on halfway put the Panthers back on the attack but the hosts weren't able to capitalise after Isaah Yeo made an uncharacteristic error. Panthers 6 - Sharks 0.

15th minute: Both teams are putting on a show for the Bathurst faithful, with plenty of end to end action throughout the opening 15 minutes of the contest. Penrith have had a couple of chances to extend their margin, only to be denied by desperate Cronulla defence. The Sharks also had a chance, but Tom Hazelton spilled the ball and the opportunity went begging. Panthers 6 - Sharks 0.

7th minute: That was a slick attacking set and Penrith are the first to break through. The hosts asked questions of the Sharks defence on every play, forcing Cronulla to scramble desperately to hold out their opponents. The visitors eventually cracked as Brian To'o scored in the corner. Panthers 6 - Sharks 0.

5th minute: The Sharks have started this game with plenty of energy and they've won the field position battle early. The defensive pressure led to a goal-line dropout but the Panthers defence was up to the task. Nathan Cleary then took control and kicked early to produce a superb 40-20 and put his side on the attack. Panthers 0 - Sharks 0.

Kick-off: We are underway at a sold-out Carrington Park in Bathurst, with Penrith to have first use of the ball. The match is an early clash between two premiership contenders and should provide an intriguing battle between two high-quality sides. Panthers 0 - Sharks 0.

Late Mail

Panthers: Liam Martin's return from a calf injury has been delayed by at least another week, with Luke Garner and Isaiah Papali'i to start in the second row for the second game in a row. Winger Tom Jenkins has also retained his place in the starting side following a late call-up in Round 1. Penrith have struggled in Bathurst over the years, winning just three of their last seven games in the western NSW town. The Panthers will line up 1-19, with no late changes. 

Sharks: Cronulla have the luxury of a settled squad with coach Craig Fitzgibbon set to roll out the same 19 that got the job done last week. Teig Wilton remains sidelined as he navigates the final stages of recovery from off-season shoulder surgery. The match is a homecoming for Bathurst junior Will Kennedy, who will start at fullback. Niwhai Puru and Mawene Hiroti dropped out in Friday's 24-hour update. Cronulla will also line up 1-19 for the showdown with the Panthers.

Numbers Game

The Panthers have won nine of their past 10 games against the Sharks.
No Sharks player has played previously at Carrington Park in Bathurst.
The Panthers have won only three of their last seven games in Bathurst.
The Sharks have failed to score three times in their last seven games against the Panthers.
The Panthers have not won their opening two games since 2022.

Dragons v Storm at WIN Stadium

Full-time: Moses Leo has put a punctuation mark on a commanding Melbourne victory with a sensational solo effort to beat seven defenders and score under the posts. The try secured a 46-20 victory at WIN Stadium but the margin does not reflect how close this game was for much of the contest. St George Illawarra led by two with 19 minutes remaining before Melbourne flicked a switch to run in five tries in the final quarter to pull away from their opponents. Dragons 20 - Storm 46.

75th minute: Sua Faalogo has put this game to bed, the livewire fullback producing more sensational footwork to dance around and step through a disjointed defensive line to complete his hat-trick. That's three tries in the space of 11 minutes for Faalogo and the Storm are on their way to a 2-0 start to the year. Dragons 20 - Storm 40.

70th minute: Melbourne are flexing their muscle now and showing why they are considered a premiership contender. The door was opened ever so slightly when Damien Cook kicked the ball out on the full in the 62nd minute and the Storm haven't looked back. Another Dragons error handed the visitors a chance to kick further clear, with Jahrome Hughes stepping his way to the try line to extend his side's lead. In another blow for the hosts, Damien Cook has now left the field for an HIA. Josh Kerr is back on the field, having passed his HIA while Clint Gutherson has also been cleared and is preparing to return. Dragons 20 - Storm 34.

66th minute: The Dragons are on the ropes now and Sua Faalogo is again the man to cross the stripe after another chaotic minute of play. A Harry Grant error put the Dragons back on the attack before Joe Chan took matters into his own hands by producing a one on one strip. The back rower stole the ball from Ryan Couchman and raced 50 metres downfield before being dragged down. The Dragons were stretched and Faalogo only needed an inch of space to slice through for his second try in three minutes. Dragons 20 - Storm 28.

63rd minute: The momentum is back with the Storm as the see-sawing nature of this contest continues. Damien Cook put a kick from dummy half out on the full and Melbourne did not need a second invitation to strike. Sua Faalogo was the man to break through, the livewire fullback dancing past Mat Feagai with some fancy footwork before beating Val Holmes to put his team back in front. Dragons 20 - Storm 24.

59th minute: The momentum swings continue in Wollongong, with the Dragons playing some enterprising attack in their own half. The play did not come off and Setu Tu spilled the ball. Clint Gutherson, however, was hit high and late in the attacking movement and St George Illawarra have been awarded a penalty. The blow has come at a cost, the fullback leaving the field for an HIA. At the end of it all, the Dragons are on the attack looking to extend their lead. Dragons 20 - Storm 18.

54th minute: Another massive moment in this game and the Dragons faithful are on their feet at WIN Stadium. Sua Faalogo fielded a kick, skipped across field, linked up with Will Warbrick. The Storm winger ran over the top of Kyle Flanagan and charged into open space. He couldn't get past the fullback, however, with Clint Gutherson forcing an error in the process in a big play for his team. Meanwhile, Josh Kerr has left the field for an HIA.  Dragons 20 - Storm 18.

51st minute: The Dragons have reaped the rewards of a staunch defensive effort to start the second half. After repelling the Storm on multiple occasions, Hamish Stewart came up with a crucial one on one strip to win back possession for his team. A couple of set restarts helped the hosts work into attacking territory and Dan Atkinson produced another sublime pass to Val Holmes for his second of the evening. Dragons 20 - Storm 18.

47th minute: Christian Tuipulotu is scoring tries at one end and now he's saved one at the other end. A Dragons error inside their own half handed the Storm a prime attacking opportunity and they looked destined to score when Sua Faalogo attempted to float the ball over the top to two unmarked me. He couldn't get it past Tuipulotu's outstretched arm, however, with the Dragons winger taking a crucial intercept. Dragons 14 - Storm 18.

Kick-off: We are back for the second half, with the Dragons trailing by four and desperate to strike first after the break. It's Melbourne who will receive the kick off as they look to work the bay out of their own half. Dragons 14 - Storm 18.

Half-time: Dragons coach Shane Flanagan will be furious with his team as they enter the sheds after his side seemingly went to sleep in the final two minutes of the half. Having done so much work to get back in front, the hosts conceded two penalties to hand the Storm an attacking set of six and less than 60 seconds on the clock. That was all the time Harry Grant needed, the hooker taking advantage of disrupted marker defence to score from dummy half in the final play of the opening stanza. Dragons 14 - Storm 18.

37th minute: Amid the injury drama, the hosts played some great attacking footy during the set and tested the Storm defence. Eventually they broke through with Clint Gutherson sweeping around the back on a left-edge shift. The fullback beat one man before diving for the corner and slamming the ball down before Sua Faalogo could force him into touch. After trailing 12-0 after just 15 minutes, the Dragons now have the lead thanks to a Val Holmes sideline conversion. Dragons 14 - Storm 12. 

36th minute: It's a chaotic attacking set for the Dragons. This time it's Dan Atkinson who threw a dummy, almost sliced through before being dragged down. The halfback was slow to get up and also received treatment before playing on. Dragons 8 - Storm 12. 

35th minute: Concern now for Kyle Flanagan, who threw a dummy and almost slid through the Storm defensive line. The five-eighth was dragged down from behind by Josh King. Flanagan is clearly in pain with a leg injury but will try play through the injury for now. Dragons 8 - Storm 12. 

34th minute: The momentum is all with the Dragons now, who are rolling down the field on the back of quick play the balls. The hosts have received a penalty 10 metres out from the try line after Dan Atkinson was tackled late after kicking the ball. A big chance to level the scores. Dragons 8 - Storm 12. 

30th minute: Dan Atkinson had an error earlier but he's just shown exactly why the Dragons paid him the big money to wear the No.7 jumper. Hamish Stewart put the hosts on the front foot by breaking through the Storm defensive line. Stewart offloaded to Ryan Couchman, who was tackled just short of the line. Atkinson then stepped up, threw a superb 30 metre bullet pass to Valentine Holmes who scored the Dragons second try of the night. Dragons 8 - Storm 12. 

24th minute: Another important defensive stand by the hosts who survive another Storm attacking set. A Dan Atkinson kick sailed out on the full, handing Melbourne prime field position, but Harry Grant couldn't get his grubber through the defensive line on the last tackle. The threat isn't over, however, after St George Illawarra made an error working out of their own half and the Storm have another chance to extend their lead. Dragons 4 - Storm 12.

20th minute: The money man Christian Tuipulotu is back for another season and the Dragons winger has pulled out his trademark celebration after getting his side back in the contest. A couple of set restarts allowed the hosts to build pressure in attacking territory and they eventually exposed the Storm out wide, with Tuipulotu crossing in the corner. Dragons 4 - Storm 12.

16th minute: The Melbourne onslaught continues, with the visitors rolling down the field to score in the set after points. A penalty provided the Storm with attacking field position, Dragons fullback Clint Gutherson was unable to secure a bomb and Jack Howarth pounced on the loose ball to score the try. Dragons 0 - Storm 12.

14th minute: They could repel one Storm raid but the Dragons couldn't prevent a second and Will Warbrick has crossed in the corner for the opening try of the game. The hosts played the ball on the left flank and shifted the ball all the way to the right corner to catch St George Illawarra short for numbers. Dragons 0 - Storm 8. 

9th minute: An important defensive stand by the hosts, who repel a Storm attacking raid before Christian Tuipulotu took a superb catch to defuse a well-placed bomb. The defensive set came after the Dragons had an attacking opportunity of their own, however an errant kick rolled dead to hand Melbourne a seven-tackle set and a chance to roll down the field. Dragons 0 - Storm 2.

4th minute: A Dragons error inside their own half has provided the Storm an early attacking opportunity and they have capitalised. The visitors received a penalty for a strip a couple of plays later, with Nick Meaney stepping up to kick the penalty goal. Dragons 0 - Storm 2.

Kick-off: We are underway at WIN Stadium as the Dragons look to continue an impressive recent record against the Storm. St George Illawarra enter the match after a heartbreaking loss to Canterbury in Las Vegas, while Melbourne are full of confidence on the back of a dominant victory over Parramatta last week. Dragons 0 - Storm 0

Late Mail

Dragons: Hame Sele has come into the starting side in a game day swap with Hamish Stewart as they did in Round 1 in Vegas. Jacob Liddle's return from a hamstring injury has been put on ice for another week, with Damien Cook to wear the No.9 jumper. 

Storm: No late changes for the Storm. Veteran Tui Kamikamica starts at lock in place of Alec MacDonald (concussion), while Jack Hetherington is set for his club debut off the bench. Shawn Blore was also pushing to make his first appearance of the after overcoming an ankle injury but he played NSW Cup on Saturday. 

Numbers Game

• The Dragons have won their last two games against the Storm.
• The Storm have won their last three games at WIN Stadium.
• Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu has scored six tries in his last five games at WIN Stadium.
• Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes has scored six tries in seven games against the Dragons.
• Dragons centre Valentine Holmes has scored a try in his last three games against the Storm.

 

Wests Tigers v Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval

Too good by halves: Jarome Luai and Adam Doueihi orchestrated the Tigers attack superbly, coming up with four try assists and three line break assists between them. With a new contract inked during the week, Doueihi celebrated with a try and six conversions as he and Luai totally outclassed Tom Dearden and Jake Clifford.

Full-time: The Tigers open their campaign with a superb attacking display to send the Cowboys plummeting to a 0-2 start with 72 points conceded across the two games. Back-rowers Samuela Fainu and Kai Pearce-Paul stood tall among a host of stars for the Tigers.

77 min: Braidon Burns gets back to cover up a kick but he is hammered by Samuela Fainu and the ball comes free.

72 min: Quick hands to the right edge from the Tigers as Sunia Turuva and Adam Doueihi combine to make space for Jeral Skelton who powers into the corner. Wests Tigers 44-16.

70 min: Scott Drinkwater gets across to try and gather an Adam Doueihi chip kick but makes a meal of it and the Tigers go on the attack.

64 min: Scott Drinkwater drifts across field but telegraphs his pass and it is picked off by Luke Laulilii who sprints 70 metres in front of a packed hill to surely put the game out of reach. Adam Doueihi converts. Wests Tigers 40-16.

60 min: A third try in 14 minutes for the Cowboys as they chance their hand on the last tackle and Scott Drinkwater sends a superb long ball to Tom Chester who shows pace and footwork to get over the line. Jake Clifford converts. Wests Tigers 34-16.

58 min: So close for the Cowboys as Jake Clifford climbs high to bring down a bomb and offloads to Griffin Neame who gets over the line but Sunia Turuva and Luke Laulilii scramble back to hold up the front-rower.

56 min: Jake Clifford kicks ahead and Jaxon Purdue does the rest as the Cowboys snare their second of the day. Clifford sprays the conversion. Wests Tigers 34-10.

55 min: Another win on a captain's challenge for the Cowboys after Reed Mahoney was pinged for a strip but replays showed he had not played at the ball and Alex Twal had simply lost it.

52 min: Jarome Luai aims his grubber kick at the upright and the ball bounces back off the pads straight into his arms for a four-pointer that has the 17,000-strong crowd in raptures. Adam Doueihi converts. Wests Tigers 34-6.

51 min: A huge play from Adam Doueihi as he collects a grubber in his own in-goal and beats four defenders to get the ball back into the field of play.

51 min: The Cowboys challenge a knock-on call against Sam McIntyre and come up trumps when the bunker backs the forward's assertion that he never touched the ball.

47 min: The Cowboys start the long climb back as Scott Drinkwater puts Braidon Burns over in the corner but Jake Clifford fails to convert. Wests Tigers 28-6.

45 min: Matt Lodge and Alex Twal trade errors as both sides make a sloppy start to the second term.

42 min: An early chance for the Cowboys with Matt Lodge the unlikely man to put in a grubber but he interferes with Jahream Bula as the Tigers fullback covers up the ball and a penalty follows.

Slashing Samuela: Wests Tigers back-rower Samuela Fainu had six tackle breaks and 127 run metres to go with a try as he ran amok on the left edge.

Half-time: The Tigers sat out Round 1 but the wait was worth it for their devoted fans who soaked up every minute of the first-half onslaught. With 65 per cent of possession and 10 more sets with the ball the Tigers ran in five tries as Jarome Luai laid on three tries and toyed with the flimsy Cowboys defence.

39 min: The Tigers head to the sheds on a massive high after Jahream Bula puts Luke Laulilii over in the corner after a sweep to the left from a set scrum. Laulilii has too much speed for Braidon Burns and launches himself into the corner. Adam Doueihi nails the extras from touch. Wests Tigers 28-2.

35 min: Jarome Luai again shows his class with a perfectly weighted grubber for Kai Pearce-Paul to trail through and grab his second try for the afternoon. Adam Doueihi adds the extras. Wests Tigers 22-2.

32 min: A clever scrum move by the Tigers but Luke Laulilii can't control the final pass and the Cowboys are off the hook.

30 min: Jarome Luai comes up with a big shot on Heilum Luki who spills the ball and the Tigers launch another raid.

26 min: Adam Doueihi goes to the line and finds Jahream Bula who puts Kai Pearce-Paul into a yawning gap and the Tigers go further ahead. Doueihi fails to convert. Wests Tigers 16-2.

25 min: Heilum Luki is placed on report for a high shot.

24 min: Two six-again calls in a row put the Cowboys in perfect position but Reed Mahoney comes up with a simple error. 

18 min: Jeral Skelton is activated from the six-man bench after Taylan May leaves the field with a shoulder injury.

17 min: The Cowboys concede a soft try as Adam Doueihi waltzes through the Cowboys' middles and embarrasses Jason Taumalolo and Heilum Luki as he plunges over to score. Wests Tigers 12-2.

11 min: Kai O'Donnell is sent to the sin bin after being caught not square at marker and the Tigers punish the 12-man Cowboys immediately with Jarome Luai dancing across field and turning a rampaging Samuela Fainu under and he powers over. Adam Doueihi converts. Wests Tigers 6-2.

9 min: The Cowboys go 90 metres from the kick-off in a powerful set and hand the ball over deep in Tigers territory.

6 min: Api Koroisau is penalised and placed on report for a 'cannonball' tackle on Griffin Neame. The Cowboys opt to take the shot at goal and Jake Clifford knocks it over. Cowboys 2-0.

5 min: Jarome Luai schemes on the left edge and Luke Laulilii gets a chance in the corner but he can't get it down as the Cowboys converge.

4 min: The Cowboys will take plenty of confidence out of defending three repeat sets on their own line and Tom Dearden clears with a long kick.

Late Mail

Wests Tigers: No game day changes for Benji Marshall.

Cowboys: Rep forward Reuben Cotter is a late withdrawal from the side for personal reasons so Kai O'Donnell starts art at lock. Griffin Neame has also been elevated to the starting side, which sees Coen Hess move back to the interchange. 

Numbers Game

• Wests Tigers have won three of their last four games at Leichhardt Oval.
• The Cowboys have won their last five games against the Tigers.
• Wests Tigers fullback Jahream Bula has scored seven tries in seven games at Leichhardt.
• Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi has scored 10 tries in his last seven games against the Tigers.