LeagueNews.co | Robbie Hamilton
The Panthers at penrithpanthers.com.au have fallen to the Cowboys in a hard-fought 16-6 battle, with the Cowboys clawing their way back into the top eight.
Both teams were missing key players in the rain-soaked showdown at BlueBet Stadium, with only Isaah Yeo suiting up after State of Origin duties.
Despite the absence of NSW playmaker Jarome Luai, the Panthers struggled to find their attacking flair while the young guns of North Queensland rose to the occasion, guiding their team to victory over the reigning premiers.
Jaxon Purdue's crucial try in the second half and Harrison Edwards' impressive 48 tackles highlighted the Cowboy's defensive prowess.
Facing adversity with multiple sin bin penalties, the Cowboys showed resilience, defending against wave after wave of Penrith attacks.
The Panthers, without the impact of State of Origin stars Liam Martin and Brian To'o, failed to break through the Cowboys' stout defense.
In a game filled with grit and determination, the Cowboys emerged victorious, proving that sometimes defense wins championships.