So here we are folks. A resolute Wenty outfit have fought their way deep into the NSW Cup finals and now find themselves facing the competition favourites and minor premiers in the Penrith Panthers. It goes without saying that this is a mammoth task for the Magpies, particularly when you consider that the Panthers have thrashed them twice already this year.
Furthermore Penrith welcome back a number of key players in Kevin Kingston, David Simmons and Isaah Yeo while there are no reinforcements to speak of for our boys. The odds are most definitely stacked against Wenty but after a rousing effort against the Wyong Roos they will be looking for an ambush.
If Wenty are to get up today they will need to hammer the Panthers up the middle. Look for Alvaro and Maliota to lead the way and hopefully open up the game for the likes of Pewhairangi and Hunt. Bureta Faraimo and Vai Toutai will also prove key in winning the ground war as Wenty come out of their own half and indeed the whole backline will need to be alert to the multitude of threats in the Penrith three-quarter line.
The winner of today's final will claim a place in the NSW Cup Grand Final and will face the winner of the Newcastle/Illawarra fixture.
You can watch today's game live on Fox Sports 1 or follow the game right here on 1EE!
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An incredible stat just shared by Lara Pitt while interviewing Luke Kelly - Wenty have used 54 players in their NSW Cup team this year...
Penrith take the opening kick of the game and some nice work from Butler Fleming nets the Magpies a penalty on half way! Great start.
Ma'afu takes the first hit up down the left edge. Maliota is up next and the Wenty spin the ball to the right. Kelly brings the ball back inside via Mataele. Wenty then go to the right edge short side to bring up the last. Kelly uses the bomb on the last but a great take secures Penrith possession and a 20m restart. They quickly net their first penalty of the game as Wenty are pinged in the ruck.
Campbell-Gillard gets Penrith on the roll before the Panthers begin to threaten Wenty's left edge. The Magpies recover well and defend until the final tackle of the set. Penrith then opt to bomb and do so poorly as Butler-Fleming takes it uncontested in goals.
No difficulties for Wenty coming out of their half in this set as they get a penalty that takes them to halfway. Alas Alvaro loses the pill on the first possession from a tough short ball. Coach killing stuff.
And it is the Panthers that will play from in front today as Kevin Kingston surges up the middle and links up with Ryan Simpkins who goes on to post the opening try of the game. Gee the play-the-ball looked sloppy there but Wenty were caught napping none-the-less.
That all comes back to the simple mistake made between Toutai (?) and Alvaro from the penalty restart.
The conversion is successful.
Penrith lead Wenty 6-0
6min gone.
Penrith let the kick off bounce and very nearly give away possession! They just manage to secure the ball via Nathan Smith at the last possible moment.
The Panthers ruck it out to the 45m mark on the last before Humble rolls in a poor kick from his own half. Hunt has no problems taking the rolling ball and Wenty come away with good territory.
Some decent metres made by the Magpies as they sweep the ball out to the right. Nothing fancy there.
The set is completed by Kelly who bombs Nabuli. The Fijian flyer leaps high and takes the ball before he is nearly dragged into touch.
Fleming takes some heavy contact as he comes off the goal line after retrieving the ball from the Penrith kick.
One out stuff from Wenty here as they look to drive the ball up field Kelly decides to run the ball on the last and Wenty gain a fresh set from a Penrith hand before receiving a penalty! Exciting stuff.
Wenty take the tap restart and begin to roll the ball into the Penrith goal line. Mataele comes flying on an inside line and it takes a superb tackle to stop his rampaging run!
The damage is done though as he shortened the left edge of the Panthers on! Kelly fires the ball to Toutai who deftly puts Butler-Fleming over to hit back!
The conversion is successful.
Wenty have locked the game up at 6-all
12min gone.
Maliota steams onto the ball as he powers to the 20m mark from the kickoff. Mataele is up next and Alvaro follows him.
Kelly rifles off a kick on the 3rd tackle, fishing for a 40/20 but Simmons, the wily veteran that he is, was awake to the play and was in position to stop it.
Penrith fight their way over halfway with some second phase play and Waqa Blake is hammered by Sam Gorman! Ripper of a tackle. The Panthers kick from right next to the sideline and Hunt is perfectly positioned to take the ball.
Wenty rumble over halfway with a tackle in hand and O'Malley takes Wenty 10m into Penrith's half on the last. The Magpies look for the bomb once again and it comes down 25m out from the Penrith goal line. No ones wants anything to do with it and the ref finds a Wenty mistake after the ball bounces.
Turnover to the Panthers. Some soft stuff there gift the Panthers plenty of metres as Nathan Smith (?) cuts through our right edge. Fortune swings towards Wenty though as a miscommunication between Blake and Simmons sees the ball roll into touch!
Toutai takes a early carry down the right edge. Avlaro as ever is on hand for the next charge but some great line speed from the Panthers traps Wenty in their own half.
A better kick from Kelly finds the carpet down field and Penrith begin their set 30m off their own goal line.
Wow, blatant forward pass there! How did no official see that! Wenty are able to overcome the awful no call as they intercept the ball further down the line before Kingston is nailed for a strip.
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