Penrith stun Melbourne in upset

Penrith Panthers ... winger David Simmons makes a run against Melbourne Storm. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Penrith produced the upset of the season on Sunday night, ending an eight-year drought against defending NRL premiers Melbourne with a stunning 12-10 victory.

3 Tries 2
David Simmons 11'	Sisa Waqa 44'
Travis Robinson 19'	Jesse Bromwich 56'
David Simmons 25'
0 Conversions 1
	Cameron Smith 57'

Just eight days after having their 15-game winning streak ended by Canberra, the Storm had another streak snapped.

They'd won their previous 11 clashes against the Panthers, dating back to June 18, 2005.

But that meant nothing at Centrebet Stadium as the Panthers grimly defended their way to a famous victory despite scoring all of their 12 points in the first half and having to defend a two-point lead for the final 24 minutes.

The Panthers shot out to a 12-0 half-time lead in front of 7,803 delirious fans on the back of a double to try-scoring whiz David Simmons.

The winger opened the scoring with an 80-metre intercept from Gareth Widdop after 11 minutes, and added to his tally when he bounced off a Billy Slater shoulder charge to finish expertly in the corner.

His first-half efforts were split by a four-pointer to Travis Robinson, who snapped up a Luke Walsh cross-field kick.

Walsh had an off night in front of goal, missing all three first half conversions, but his in-game kicking was superb.

The Storm hit back straight away after the break, with winger Sisa Waqa capitalising on a Robinson error just four minutes into the second half. 

They clawed to within two points in the 56th minute through a converted try to Jesse Bromwich.

The monster prop pounced on a loose ball in goal after the Panthers had stripped the ball from Cameron Smith over the tryline, ensuring a tense finish.

The home side had success punching through the middle of the field, taking advantage of their superior forward pack.

The Storm now have now lost back-to-back games for the first time since July 27 last year, leaving South Sydney alone at the top of the NRL ladder.

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