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16May06
Trent Waterhouse enjoys the moment with Craig Gower during Sunday's win against the Rabbitohs.
THE Panthers handed their fans a great Mother's Day present when they defeated South Sydney at CUA Stadium, Penrith on Sunday afternoon.
The 31-20 win broke a four-game losing streak and followed on the grand final wins of their younger SG Ball and Harold Matthews team-mates the previous day.
After leading 18-4 at half-time and 22-4 after the resumption, the Panthers lapsed into old habits and allowed the Bunnies to get back into the game.
South Sydney scored three tries to bring the score back to 22-20 before the Panthers steadied and crossed for two tries.
Although Shane Rodney, Luke Lewis and Trent Waterhouse scored tries, at least another three went begging.
With Craig Gower back in the general's role the team looked organised and, in fact, the Rabbitohs seldom threatened the Panthers' line.
Their one try came from a break out in their own half allowing Nathan Merritt to cross. Gower was in everything and as his confidence grew so did that of his teammates.
After the break the Panthers opened with a try to Luke Rooney (playing his 100th first grade game for the club) and at that stage fans could have been excused if they were singing out ``we want 50''.
But yet again the Panthers relaxed their grip, letting the Bunnies back into the match. John Sutton, Ben Walker and David Fa'alago crossed for Souths and the 11,000 fans had a game on their hands.
The Panthers then steadied and watched, almost breathlessly, before Rhys Wesser and Rooney scored to bring the Panthers home.
Preston Campbell landed four goals, mostly from wide out. The Panthers forwards showed the firepower they can release on their opponents with players such as Waterhouse and Frank Pritchard showing their best form of the season.
