LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The Penrith Panthers staged a courageous comeback in their NSW Cup match against the North Sydney Bears, but ultimately fell short in a 26-24 loss.
Despite trailing 26-6 early in the second half, the Panthers fought back with three consecutive tries to make it a close game.
Samuel Lane, Jesse McLean, and David Fale were instrumental in the Panthers' resurgence, with Zack Lamont's solo try setting up an intense finish.
However, the Bears managed to hold on for the victory.
The North Sydney Bears, who are 11th in the standings with a 3-17 record, defied expectations to upset the Panthers in this match.
The Panthers, missing some key players, struggled in the first half as the Bears took a commanding 22-6 lead at halftime.
The late inclusions of fullback Jake Toby and five-eighth Jesse Marschke proved crucial for the Bears in building their early lead.
Despite the loss, the Panthers showed resilience and determination in their comeback effort.
Coach Peter Wallace praised the team's effort, stating, "I thought the boys showed a lot of character to fight their way back into the game after falling behind early." The Panthers' ability to score three quick tries demonstrated their offensive capabilities, with Lane, McLean, Fale, and Lamont all making significant contributions.
While the Panthers ultimately fell short in their comeback bid, the experience and resilience gained from this match could prove valuable in future games.
The loss serves as a learning opportunity for the team as they continue to strive for success in the NSW Cup.
As Wallace emphasized, "We will take away some positives but also learn from the mistakes to ensure we are better prepared for the next game." The Panthers will look to build on their strong finish and come back stronger in their upcoming matches.