Maloney inspires Panthers to big win over Cowboys
A James Maloney masterclass has helped Penrith to a big win over North Queensland in Townsville, the Panthers accounting for the Cowboys 33-14 on Thursday night.
Maloney had a perfect night with the boot, nailing a field goal, scoring a try and setting up three others in a dominant display at 1300 Smiles Stadium.
Masterclass: James Maloney is congratulated by Dean Whare.
Photo: CreditThe Cowboys' talismanic halves combination of Michael Morgan and Johnathan Thurston looked strangely lost in comparison, with failed fifth-tackle options and seemingly no answer to the Panthers' attack.
North Queensland got off to a horror start – with Penrith scoring first points and losing Javid Bowen to a concussion from a high tackle, bringing Ethan Lowe in as a makeshift centre.
The Panthers kept piling on the punishment, with Maloney putting Viliame Kikau through a wide open hole to score their first, before scoring his own when a grubber pinballed off half-a-dozen players and landed back in his arms.
But the Panthers penalty count came back to bite them momentarily when the referees sent James Tamou to the sin bin for repeat offending.
North Queensland made the most of Tamou's absence, scoring through Kyle Feldt and going into the break down 16-4.
A monstrous run from Jason Taumalolo from the second half kick-off knocked Isaah Yeo out before he hit the ground, putting a finish to his night.
But two more penalty goals saw the Panthers extend their lead to 16 points.
Antonio Winterstein got one back for the home side but it wasn't long before Waqa Blake scored after an aerial mismatch with Ethan Lowe.
Things only got worse for the Cowboys with Jordan McLean leaving the field with a foot injury.
A 72nd-minute cut-out pass from Michael Morgan put Kyle Feldt over for his second, but it did little to faze the Panthers, who snared a field goal and scored one more try to finish the game 19-point victors.
PENRITH 33 (W Blake V Kikau M Leota J Maloney tries J Maloney 8 goals J Maloney field goal) bt NORTH QUEENSLAND 14 (K Feldt 2 A Winterstein tries J Thurston goal) at 1300SMILES Stadium. Referees: Gavin Badger, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski. Crowd: 11,907.
AAP