The final score line suggests an easy win for the home side but although they never looked in any serious danger of losing the game it was the final quarter before they hit the straps and scored the four tries that earned them a bonus point.
The first half was a closely fought affair with Warrington seeing as much of the ball as Penrith, the difference was that although both side's defence was solid, the Winters Park men could do so without conceding penalties in their own half. Mike Fearon had a good day with the boot and put his side ahead in the first five minutes with a well struck penalty. Penrith kicked into a blustery wind in the first half which made Fearon' 100% record all the more credit worthy with nine successful strikes.
The Cumbrians had to defend for long periods as the visitors were adept at keeping possession and although they spent some time in and around the home 22 they never really threatened the home line. Penrith doubled their lead on 20 minutes, they won a short lineout on halfway and captain Ryan Johnson took the ball in midfield and crashed through the first line of defence and the visitors were penalised as they tried to slow the ball at the breakdown, Fearon's task was made easier as the kick was foreshortened by 10m as the referee received some backchat.
Johnson's second row partner Harlan Corrie was instrumental in the final score of the half as Tama Toomata took the ball at the tail of a lineout on his 22 and released Corrie who charged his way to halfway. With the defence on the back foot the ball was moved smartly to the left touchline and then back across for the visitors to again kill the ball and Fearon again punished them with a pinpoint accurate kick.
Although Penrith had not started badly they had improved as the half went on and looked good value for the second half as they turned around 9-0 to the good. It was Warrington though, who struck first in the second period when for once got away on the outside and it was Penrith's turn to be penalised as they scrambled in defence. The visitor's kick was good but Fearon soon restored his side's nine point cushion as good work by Corrie, Ed Swale and Johnson again brought the penalty chance.
Fearon struck his fifth penalty after an incisive break by Kris Bratton, he took play into the 22 but Penrith breathed a sigh of relief because a Warrington back had taken an interception pass and looked to be away but had done so from an offside position.
With 20 minutes to go Penrith took the game by the scruff of the neck. Sam Dudson with a neat chip and chase to the corner had forced the last defender to ground the ball behind his own line and Penrith had a 5m scrum. As the visiting pack were penalised at the scrum Penrith opted to scrummage again, they couldn't manage the pushover try but Dan Morgan was held up over the line under the posts for a third 5m scrum. This time Toomata took things into his own hands and as the scrum eased forward broke off from No 8 to score himself. At 22-3 up Penrith had the visitors on the rack and dominated the closing stages.
A scything Bratton break lead to the next score, from his own half he got to within a yard of the line and the rampaging Corrie was first there to pick the ball to dive over. Toomata added a second try as play first went one way and then the other and he found himself at outside centre and motored through gap between the last two defenders and it was all Penrith.
The final try was again as a result of some sweeping phases of play, Jon Fell did well to retain possession on the left when he was isolated and when the ball came right Pale Tuilagi put Henry Hadfield in space and when his strong run was halted he managed to slip the ball out of contact to Johnson who romped in.
The second half performance had been some of the best rugby David Preston's side have played, they showed a lot of patience and very professionally put away a side that would be bitterly disappointed to go down by so many points after competing well for the majority of the game. Penrith will have to show similar form and better as they travel to promotion chasing Kirkby Lonsdale next week.