Penrith's decent start to the season continued with a second bonus
point win albeit that the fixture list has been kind to them, with two
opening home games, both of which were eminently winnable. They have,
however, both been won and although both performances have been far
from perfect the points are in the bag and the shortcomings there to
work on.
Head Coach Dave Preston had been determined to get his side firing on
all cylinders from the off after two slow starts, this they managed to
do but Wigton also got off to a quick start and the game was fast and
open from the off. Penrith spurned a good chance early on when what
would have been a scoring pass went behind winger Darren Lee. The
visitors replied with a sweeping move stretching the defence first
right and then left before scoring in the corner for a five point lead.
The pace of Penrith's game did not let up and when their improved
scrimmage drove Wigton off their own ball on their own 22 the home side
looked to take advantage. Play went to the right and when the ball came
back left to Pale Tuilagi he attempted a drop goal. It was not his best
attempt and was skewed well wide. Everyone stopped and watched as the
ball drifted away from the posts, everyone that is except young Penrith
flanker JJ Key who was in hot pursuit. The ball bounced and was about
to be touched down when Key appeared on the scene at pace to rob the
defender of the ball for the try. It was a bit soft try and a bit of
good fortune but the home side were on level terms.
Good driving play by the forwards too play deep into the visitor's 22
on the right and when the ball came back left Penrith had an overlap
but the ball came to prop Jarrett Crouch and just as he did all afternoon he ran it in
hard and straight, when he was hauled down Ed Swale was on hand to
dance over, Tuilagi's conversion gave the home side a seven point
cushion.
James Boustead had gone close before Penrith scored their third try
just before the break. Lee covered back and fielded a punt upfield, the
home side ran the ball in their own 22 and Tuilagi was the opportunity,
drew the last two men and put Jamie McNaughton away on the outside on
his own 22. The young man's pace took him away from the cover and he
was faced with the last defender just over halfway, he clearly thought
there was going to be a chip and chase but the Penrith winger had the
belief in his own ability, stepped him, and was quick enough on his
feet to get up to pace again and win the race for the corner. Wigton
mounted an assault as the clock ran down but the home defence held firm
and turned round with a 17-5 advantage.
The game was killed dead by Lee just after half time when he scored the
bonus point try. Penrith were penalised on the visitor's 22 and the
defenders looked to clear their lines. The penalty to touch fell short
into the handsof Lee still his own half, he set off on a run aiming
straight for the posts and as he went in for the try there were five
would be tacklers prostrate in his wake, a testament to his pace and
power.
Penrith soon extended their lead, Sam Dudson now on at fullback field a
kick through and was caught trying to run the ball out, his forwards
were soon in support and Ryan Johnson emerged with the ball and
supported by Mike Stephens got the ball into the opposition half, it
was then transferred slickly right through the hands Boustead and
Dudson before coming to Kris Bratton who hit the gap inside the
drifting winger, stepped inside the final defender for a converted try.
The scrummages were becoming a bit of a mess and their final try came
when the combative Mark Bowman tidied ball at the wheeling scrum,
Tuilagi missed both centres and Dudson hit the line at pace, he put
McNaughton away who this time did chip the final defender and then he
won the chase to the corner to complete the home side's scoring.
At this stage there was 20 minutes left on the clock and the home side
rather lost their way, the game was comfortably won and although it did
let Wigton back into the game they only managed one score, a tap and
drive from a penalty ten yards out.
There is still an awful lot of work to be done on this new look Penrith
side but if they can do it while playing with no little flair and
putting sides away like this David Preston may be going places.