Match report: Panthers 26, Sharks 6
Penrith have continued their impressive start to the season and their domination of Cronulla, with winger Tom Jenkins extending his try-scoring spree.
Following their opening romp against premiers Brisbane, the Panthers easily outclassed the Sharks at Bathurst’s Carrington Park, conceding their only points against of 2026 in the 59th minute.
Nathan Cleary played a leading role in the Panthers’ 20-point win.Credit: Getty Images
Saturday’s win was the Panthers’ 10th in their last 11 matches against the Sharks.
Jenkins backed up his brace against the Broncos with another two tries to leap to the top of the NRL season try-scoring tally.
Superstar halfback Nathan Cleary swung momentum Penrith’s way early with a 40-20 kick in the fifth minute and one tackle later winger Brian To’o crossed for the first try of the night.
On the back of an impressive completion rate and suffocating defence, the Panthers extended the lead to 18-0 by half-time with Cronulla paying the price for some flimsy tackles and poor handling.
The second try came after a controversial call by referee Ashley Klein, penalising Sharks centre Jesse Ramien for an early tackle after he bumped into Jenkins before he caught the ball.
Blaize Talagi then sent a long ball out to Jenkins, who beat Nicho Hynes en route to the try line.
Three minutes after half-time Jenkins was in for his second with the Panthers building an insurmountable 24-0 lead.
The Sharks lifted and winger Sione Katoa broke their points drought when he scrambled across the line for their sole try, which was converted by Hynes.
They stemmed Penrith’s scoring but with Cleary in superb touch the hosts maintained control for another classy win.
AAP