Steelers claw their way back against Panthers

The Coastwide Engineering Steelers have mounted a late comeback to defeat the Penrith Panthers in the SG Ball Cup at BlueBet Stadium.

The Steelers got off to a flying start off the back of a beautiful left foot step from centre Jack Bostock who scored after just four minutes.

The two sides went back and forth through tries to Panthers backrower Aston Warwick and Steelers winger Ethan Cliff who pulled off an acrobatic finish to get his side within two points.

After going into the sheds in front 10-8, the Panthers scored the first try of the second half through Keagan Russell-Smith. With the Steelers running the ball out of their own in-goal, the Panthers halfback made a one-on-one strip and crashed over underneath the black dot. He added the extras, and the Panthers were in control at 16-8.

With 16 minutes remaining, the Steelers needed something special and it came again through Bostock, who used his size and strength to crash over in the corner and get his side within a try.

The Steelers started to get adventurous, spreading the ball from the kick off and off the back of a penalty, they found themselves deep within the Panthers half.

Steelers hooker Navajo Doyle sent prop Jacob Webster crashing over after some crafty dummy half play. Bostock converted and the Steelers led 18-16.

The Panthers had their opportunities to hit back but it was the Steelers who went over again through prop Toby Couchman to help secure a 24-16 win.

Meanwhile, the Steelers were defeated 32-22 by the Panthers in Harold Matthews Cup after trailing 20-12 at halftime.

The postponed Round 4 Tarsha Gale Cup clash is scheduled for 7.30pm on Tuesday, 15 March at Ron Costello Oval, Shellharbour.

Article courtesy nswrl.com.au

Photo courtesy Allan Barry