NRL Friday Recap: Penrith suffers defeat in first match, Cronulla secures victory against the Warriors.
The Panthers, who recently lost to Wigan Warriors, the Super League champions, in the World Club Challenge last month, had numerous chances to score and secure a win at AAMI Park. However, they were repeatedly thwarted by the resilient efforts of the Storm, who emerged victorious on the opening weekend.
In a remarkable match that saw only one try scored throughout the evening, the Storm led 2-0 at halftime with Nick Meaney’s penalty early in the game. Despite a daring attempt at a two-point field goal by the Panthers just before halftime, no further scoring occurred in the first half.
However, nine minutes into the second half, the Storm increased their lead with the game’s lone try, scored by Reimis Smith. Meaney successfully converted the try, extending the Storm’s lead to two scores.
