New South Wales stars James Maloney and Nathan Cleary capped a superb week by inspiring Penrith Panthers to a narrow win over Canberra Raiders.
Maloney was influential in NSW's victory in the State of Origin opener on Wednesday, in which Clearly also starred, but the pair were back with the high-flying Panthers just 48 hours later, making key contributions.
Advertisement
Penrith's winning run was extended to four matches and their lead at the top of the NRL ladder increased to two points as Maloney and Cleary kicked crucial late points in a 23-22 triumph.
Maloney created the opening try for Tyrone Peachey and then dispatched a pair of penalties, before the Raiders took control. Canberra scored through Nick Cotric and then, after the break and another Maloney penalty, added further tries with Jordan Rapana and Elliott Whitehead.
But Maloney came to the fore again and was once more involved as Peachey crossed for a second time, before Dean Whare touched down to leave the Panthers just two points behind ahead of the conversion.
With five minutes remaining, Maloney secured the extras from a tight angle to equalise and set the stage for Cleary's moment. The 20-year-old, an Origin debutant earlier in the week, rifled over his first career field goal to seal victory.
South Sydney Rabbitohs remain just two points behind Penrith, however, after they scraped to an 18-16 win at Gold Coast Titans.
Phillip Sami pounced on an early error to open the scoring for the Titans, but Souths' response was strong, crossing through Adam Doueihi, Cody Walker and Alex Johnston.
Ryan James delivered a pair of tries for the hosts, but Adam Reynolds' penalty goal early in the second half ensured the Rabbitohs were always just out of reach and able to clinch a sixth straight victory.
