The Penrith Panthers have edged the New Zealand Warriors 20-18 in a gripping Round 13 showdown at CommBank Stadium, extending their lead at the top of the NRL ladder.
In a contest between the competition’s top two sides, Penrith appeared in control after building a 16-6 advantage before the Warriors mounted a spirited comeback. Alofiana Khan-Pereira crossed to give the visitors an 18-16 lead, but Panthers centre Paul Alamoti grabbed his second try of the night with 10 minutes remaining to seal a hard-fought victory.
Stand-in captain Dylan Edwards was outstanding for Penrith, producing a masterclass at fullback with 219 running metres, six tackle breaks, a try assist and several crucial defensive plays. Warriors forward Jackson Ford also impressed with another tireless 80-minute performance, finishing with 134 metres and 51 tackles. The result leaves Penrith four points clear at the summit after a match that lived up to its billing as a blockbuster encounter.
