Panthers hand Knights the wooden spoon

A strong second half from the Penrith Panthers has seen them defeat the Newcastle Knights 30-12 at Pepper Stadium, to hand the Novocastrians the 2015 wooden spoon.

The Panthers started well, with a try to Will Smith in the 5th minute setting the tone for the rest of the game. Some fancy footwork and speed saw Tyrone Roberts left all at sea, and the Panthers took an early 6-0 lead.

Smith then opted for a penalty goal in the 20th minute to extend the Panthers lead, after a period of ill-discipline from the Knights.

A try to Clint Newton in the 29th minute, and another to Jake Mamo just before half time, put the Knights in a strong position coming in to half time, with Newcastle fans' hopes of avoiding the wooden spoon taking a leap.

Unfortunately, it wasn't to be. The Knights struggled for possession in the second half, and were unable to mount any sort of attacking raid at the Panthers' end of the field. Will Smith was huge for the Panthers throughout the game, and the performances of Dean Whare and Tyrone Peachey also kept the Knights at bay.

Whare and Peachey scored early in the second half to take the game away from the Knights, with the penalty count against the Knights creeping higher and higher.

Frustration spilled over in the 56th minute, as a scuffle broke out and edged its way towards the sideline. Control was regained just in time, and the game without any players being sent to the bin.

Two late tries to Josh Mansour and Tyrone Peachey sealed the game for the Panthers, and handed the Knights the wooden spoon - the Newcastle side going down 30-12.

Next week both teams will be nursing a hangover from Mad Monday - incredibly for Penrith less than a year after they finished preliminary finalists against Canterbury.

Match Details

Penrith Panthers 30 Newcastle Knights 12
Venue: Pepper Stadium
Crowd: 8936
Halftime Score: Penrith Panthers 8 Newcastle Knights 12

PENRITH PANTHERS (30)
Tries: William Smith, Dean Whare, Tyrone Peachey (2), Josh Mansour
Conversions: William Smith (3/4), David Simmons (1/1)
Penalty Goals: William Smith (1/1)

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (12)
Tries: Clint Newton, Jake Mamo
Conversions: Tyrone Roberts (2/2)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Will Smith
2 points - Dean Whare
1 point - Jake Mamo

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to Penrith this afternoon ahead of this bottom of the table match between the Panthers and the Knights. Both teams will be vying for the win to avoid the wooden spoon, with the Knights starting as favourites. It's a beatiful day here at Pepper Stadium, so expect plenty of free flowing attack.

The Panthers have a number of changes. Dean Whare will return from injury to line up in the centres in jersey 21. His inclusion moves Lewis Brown to the back row, with Tyrone Peachey into the halves in the absence of Jamie Soward. Tupou Sopoaga moves to the starting lineup with Bryce Cartwright and Sika Manu unavailable, and Sione Katoa and Chris Smith will both make their debut from the interchange bench.

The Newcastle Knights are 1-17, with Kurt Gidley playing his final game for the club.

Just moments away from kick off now - both sides are on the field.

And we're underway. The Panthers kick off and Akuila Uate takes the first hitup for the Knights.

The Knights kick high on the last towards David Simmons, and he's belted upon catching the ball.

2: The Panthers working it away from their own end now. They kick long and high on the last and find some space, but Jake Mamo's speed sees him take the ball on the full.

3: On the last Tyrone Roberts kicks for the sideline, and the ball dribbles over the sideline 15 metres out from the Panthers' line.

4: And we have our first penalty of the game, Adam Clysedale penalised for being within the ten.

5: Both teams playing at a very quick pace at the moment, and we have a possible try to the Panthers! We're just checking for a possible obstruction, but it looks like Will Smith has sliced through after a poor defensive read from Tyrone Roberts.

5: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by William Smith. Kick to come.
It's a TRY! Will Smith opens the Panthers' account for the afternoon, with the conversion attempt to be taken from straight in front.

5: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by William Smith successful.
Smith makes no mistake converting his own try.

7: It's a mess from the kick off. Sam McKendry rushes up to play the ball, but makes a meal of it. Unluckily for the Knights, the referee thought he saw a Tariq Sims hand in the way, and penalises the Knights. A bit of back chat from Sims, and the Panthers will now be on the attack from the Knights' end of the field again.

7: Never mind. A pass out to David Simmons floats forward.

8: And now the Knights get a penalty, as the Panthers are ruled inside the ten.

9: On the last, Roberts grubbers into the feet of a Penrith player. The ball finds itself in Nathan Ross who plants the ball down... 20 centimetres short of the try line...

10: Great offload from the Panthers now as they work it away from their own end. But the next one is a shocker, and a tired Snowden falls on the ball.

11: A terrible pass from Gidley at dummy half goes 3 metres behind his halfback, and Roberts drops it when attempting to pick it up. Changeover.

13: Peachey kicks high on the last. Mamo calls it but can't get near it. Segeyaro regathers and then has an airswing and gets hit with a hip from Tariq Sims. Unfortunately for Sims, he was apparently wearing his hip on his shoulder - and gets penalised for a shoulder charge. Kurt Gidley walks away from the referee shaking his head.

13: Panthers only 4 metres out now.

14: On the last the Panthers try some Harlem Globetrotters stuff, and finally David Simmons attempts a Superman dive for the tryline, just as he's smashed out over the sideline. We're checking the grounding but the on field referee doesn't think it's a try.

14: NO TRY. The ball was put down on the sideline, so the Knights will get a 20m tap.

14: Another dropped ball from Tyrone Roberts. More rocks than diamonds so far today. Luckily the Panthers are ruled to have knocked the ball on first, so the Knights get the ball back.

14: And now the Panthers are penalised for a hand on the play the ball. The Knights have a fresh set only 30 metres out.

14: Gidley attempts to go himself, but is dragged down short. The Panthers then pull his leg after the tackle, so the Knights will get another set.

16: The Knights attack is looking a bit lost at the moment.

17: Mamo grubbers into the in goal, but the kick is a bit too big.

18: At the other end of the field the Panthers kick into the in goal. Mamo picks it up and does his best to get back in to the field of play, but is stopped a foot short. Line drop out.

19: Gagai comes flying in for a big hit and gets sent tumbling on his bum.

19: The Knights are penalised again, and this time the Panthers will opt for a penalty goal.

20: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL PENRITH PANTHERS
Penalty goal attempt by William Smith successful.
Smith lines up from a similar place to his last kick, and again puts it over the black dot. The Panthers lead by 8.

21: The Knights are penalised again for being inside the ten. A bit of ill discipline creeping in to the Knights' game.

23: Sione Katoa on the field in his debut. He fights to get to his feet, but drops the ball in the process.

25: Another piece of brilliance from Will Smith, running in to a half gap, and turning it into a 30 metre run. Ajuila Uate comes in with a pretty poor attempt at a slap at the ball, before Jake Mamo manages to complete a tackle.

26: And now a penalty goes to the Newcastle side.

27: Finally some attack being shown from the Knights, as they surge towards the Panthers' line.

28: Just checking a possible try to the Knights! Clint Newton has claimed a try after crashing towards the line, and we're just checking if he's got there or if he's just short. The on field referee has called try, so there will need to be conclusive evidence otherwise.

29: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Clint Newton. Kick to come.
It's a TRY to Clint Newton in his finally game before retirement! The Knights have hit back!

29: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
Roberts converts the try, and the Knights trail by 2.

29: Strong defence from the Panthers, dropping Tariq Sims on his back.

30: The Panthers kick down field on the last, but Api Koroisau has kicked the ball out on the full.

31: Roberts attempts to pass to his outside man, but it's touched by a Panthers player and goes behind the target.

31: Nathan Ross is penalised for not standing square at market, but the man playing the ball stepped sideways before he played it. Cheeky.

32: David Simmons knocks the ball on in a heavy tackle from Sione Mata'utia.

34: On the last, Kurt Gidley kicks across field. Api Koroisau slips over, but David Simmons is on hand to tidy up for the Panthers after what looked to be a certain Knights try.

34: The Panthers work a narrow blind side on the last, but it's to no avail.

37: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Jake Mamo. Kick to come.
Now Jake Mamo has fought his way to the tryline to score for the Knights!

38: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
Roberts converts, and the Knights take the lead for the first time in the game.

39: Gagai and Uate get turned around by Will Smith again - poor Akuila in particular is in all sorts trying to defend against Smith's footwork.

40: The Panthers kick into the in goal on the last, but Jake Mamo is on hand to clean up again. He's saved a few tries already in this game.

40: Half time, and the Knights lead the Panthers 12-8, after the Panthers got out to an early 8-0 lead. Some poor discipline from the Knights marched the Panthers down the field on a couple of occasions, but a late try to Jake Mamo in the 38th minute put his side in front.

40: And we're back with the second half. Roberts kicks off.

40: The Panthers spread the ball early, trying to catch the Knights napping on the edges.

41: Uate attempts a hit up running out of his own end, but loses the ball cold in the tackle.

42: Joey Tapine rakes the ball back as the Panthers attempt to play it, and Penrith will start a new set only 5 metres out.

42: Pressure reliever for the Knights, as the Panthers knock the ball on.

43: Nathan Ross gets picked up and dropped on his back, but the referee is more concerned about what may have been a crusher tackle. The tacklers are penalised, although exactly what it was for is unclear.

44: Gidley makes a bit of a break now, with the defenders standing off him.

44: On the last Gidley kicks for David Simmons' wing, but he is up to the task.

44: The Knights penalised again for being inside the ten.

45: Great late offload from Latimore and the Panthers are 30 metres out from the Knights' line on the 1st.

46: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Dean Whare. Kick to come.
Some brilliant hole running from Dean Whare sees him sprint over the line and score. Too quick, too nicely angled.

47: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by William Smith successful.
Will Smith is successful with the conversion attempt from just right of the posts. The Panthers steal back the lead.

49: Smith kicks high on the last, bringing it down right next to the upright. Brilliant take from Mamo.

50: The Panthers are penalised for working Nathan Ross' arm in the tackle. Ross isn't happy, but the referees are content just blowing a penalty.

51: GIdley goes wide to Scott, before the ball goes out to Uate to be dragged down just short.

52: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Tyrone Peachey. Kick to come.
A fantastic try against the run of play for the Panthers. Chris Smith intercepted a Chris Houston offload, before running 80 metres. Tyrone Roberts just dragged him down, but Tyrone Peachey is there and scores after the play the ball.

53: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by William Smith successful.
Will Smith converts, from left of the posts this time.

55: Koroisau kicks high again. Mamo jumps to take the ball, but is hit heavily by David Simmons. Simmons was offside though, so the Knights get a penalty.

56: The Knights only ten metres out now, looking for a try to keep themselves in the game. On the last, the ball is hot-potatoed around, before Houston stabs a kick in.

56: Another penalty - this time against the Knights. That's the 17th for the game.

57: The Panthers kick high again, this time to Uate, who takes it cleanly.

58: The Knights struggling a little for metres at the moment.

59: Leilani Latu on the ground now, after another crusherish tackle, this time from Beau Scott. No penalty.

59: The Panthers rush up to try to trap the Knights on their own line, but they're a mile offside.

59: Gidley attempts another pass, but it's knocked down by a stray arm from the Panthers.

59: The Panthers throw a huge cutout pass to the left edge, but the Knights manage to put a halt on things.

62: Nathan Ross is down now, blood coming from his mouth. It's a head clash with Sam McKendry - nothing illegal.

63: Big defence from the Panthers at the moment, keeping the Knights within their own half for the past few sets.

64: Segyaro puts a little chip kick through, but Tyler Randell knocks it on.

66: Bit of push and shove - some of the closest to a fight we've seen all season. It's spilling over almost to the stands - but it started by Nathan Ross tackling Dean Whare on suspicion.

66: Good luck to the video referee sorting that one out...

66: The Penalty goes to the Panthers for the tackle without the ball. No sin bins, no warnings.

66: The Panthers attempt the inside runner again, but the Knights defence is wise to it this time.

66: Will Smith heads for a try under the posts, but Kurt Gidley drags him down and he loses the ball. On the next play, the Knights lose the ball as well.

66: Pressure for the Knights, defending their own line for the third set in a row.

66: Uate fields a grubber in the in goal, but is tackled before he can escape. Another set for the Panthers.

68: And now Chris Houston and Clint Newton are penalised for a bit of a facial after the tackle.

69: Another penalty against the Knights, with Kurt Gidley visibly cranky at the rub his team is getting.

69: Tariq Sims came rushing up out of the line and flogged the Panthers attacker. However, the Knights touched the loose ball, so the Panthers get another repeat set.

71: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Josh Mansour. Kick to come.
And finally the Panthers have scored. It's taken 4 penalties and 5 repeat sets, but Josh Mansour has crossed in the corner.

72: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by William Smith unsuccessful.
Will Smith lines up the conversion, but its a shocker. The Panthers lead by 12 points.

72: Roberts attempts a short kick off. They bat it back... to David Simmons, who sprints 40 metres.

73: The Knights withstand the full set from the Panthers, and will start their set from their own tryline.

74: Gagai kicks deep, but Will Smith is there to bring it back.

74: Time running out for the Knights. They need to score next set.

75: The Knights 35 out now. Gidley crashes the ball forward.

75: Tapine makes a half break, but offloads to a Panthers' player.

76: Will Smith kicks downfield to Mamo again. The Knights work it down the right edge, but stuff it up, and the Panthers will score again.

77: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Tyrone Peachey. Kick to come.
And it's Tyrone Peachey again, capitalising on a Knight's mistake and sprinting 30 metres to score.

78: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by David Simmons successful.
This time it's David Simmons attempting the conversion. He has a 100% kicking average in his career so far - 1 from 1.
He makes this one look easy to take himself to 2/2 for the career.

78: The Knights attempt another short kick off, and Gidley comes up with the ball.

80: The Knights throw a wild cut out ball to the right of the field, but it drifts out over the sideline, and that's the end of the game. The Knights have picked up the 2015 wooden spoon.