Panthers Maul Sharks and Now Set Eyes Upon Hunters

by noelrr
13/08/2012

The Penrith Panthers have continued their late-season resurgence in the 2012 Waratah Championship League (WCL) competition, crushing the Sutherland Sharks 86-65 on Sunday afternoon in Sutherland - in Round 19 of the competition. Penrith jumped out to an early 26-20 lead in the first term and then held off a determined second-quarter effort from the home team to lead 41-36 at half time. Only two players had hit double figures at that stage of the game, with Ben Ellsworth on 16 points and 6 rebounds for the Panthers and Luke Davies with 13 points and 6 boards for the Sharks. The Panthers picked up the pace in the third quarter, moving further ahead to lead 67-55 at the final break in play, then dominating the fourth quarter for a 21-point victory. Penrith head coach Jeff Cooper said "it was another good team effort - we had Steve (Gavrilovic) back today but Bruce (Wells) was away, due to the birth of his baby girl". Penrith's recent form has almost totally erased memories of the team's horror thirteen-game losing streak but that run of poor results did effectively halt the Panthers push towards this year's playoff series. In contrast, the Panthers opponents this Saturday (Newcastle Hunters) have arguably been the most impressive team this season and as a result, have taken over the mantle of premiership favourites, displacing the Northern Suburbs Bears. Amazingly, the Hunters last bad game was against the Panthers back on July 15 at the Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre, when the Panthers broke their own extensive losing streak and grabbed a shock 76-69 win. Hunters head coach Darren Nicholls also received his marching orders for misbehaving on the sidelines during that game. Nicholls will be back in charge for this week's game against the Panthers and will undoubtedly looking for redemption, both for himself and his team. American import Deion Sims also missed the July 15 game through injury but having resumed last weekend, in the Hunters big win over the Bankstown Bruins, the talented American will also be looking to play a major role against the Panthers on Saturday night. "We (Penrith) have a really tough game this weekend against Newcastle and I'm hoping we finish with a big game for the last round of the season", said Cooper. "Newcastle should have their coach back for this game (he was ejected in the Hunters recent loss against the Panthers) and I'm sure they will be keen to get back at us for their loss to us in that game". Penrith Panthers 86 (Ben Ellsworth 26 points, 13 boards; Sean Albert 12 points; Rob Crane 11, Emlyn Dodd 10) def Sutherland Sharks 65 (Luke Davies 26 points, 10 boards; Cameron Stewart 15 points)

PHOTO: Emlyn Dodd and Ben Ellsworth monster Jonathon Howe in the paint - photo by Noel Rowsell

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