‘Time-Machines’ Holmes has had a spectacular season, playing some of the best footy of his career. He scored 18 points during the win, but only required four to take out the title. The Cowboys’ centre had a brilliant game, along with his three tries and three goals, he also notched up one try assist, ran for 168 metres and made nine tackle breaks.
“It was really good to see a packed house, glad we gave them a good performance,” said a modest Holmes after the win.
The Cowboys put on a dominant performance against a highly understrength Penrith side, with 13 of their regular stars being rested before the finals next week.
The sold-out Queensland Country Bank crowd were delighted with the win, and the valuable two points keep their top two chances alive.
Tom Dearden made a successful return after undergoing surgery for a ruptured testicle and never missed a beat. His halves partner Chad Townsend was also impressive in his 25th consecutive game for the club. Panther Scott Sorensen helped ensure the next family catch-up will be a bit more interesting, with a forearm to the throat of brother-in-law Townsend during the game.
With a team of players including some who had never been to Queensland, it was quite an experience for the young Penrith side. The Panther Cubs did their best but were nowhere near as polished as the side we are used to seeing.
The young squad showed the depth of the club, and while the silkiness and execution of the regular squad was clearly missing, the effort and enthusiasm was there in spades.
The Panthers held their own at the start of the, applying pressure to their more experienced opponents.
The Panthers gave the home side a scare early on, with J’maine Hopgood going agonisingly close to planting the ball on the line. A penalty shortly after to the Cowboys helped them back down the field, where winger Murray Taulagi showed the visitors how it’s done with a try in the corner.
Fellow winger Kyle Feldt thought he had scored his side’s second of the night with one of the most amazing tries of the season, but replays showed his knee touched the turf before the ball and Feldt was denied.
A Taumalolo charge down from an O’Sullivan kick was pounced on by Jeremiah Nanai to allow the Cowboys to start the set in the Panthers’ half. A few tackles later a little chip kick from Dearden was deflected by Robert Jennings and landed in the arms of Holmes. He then strolled over for the Cowboys’ second and in doing so became the highest point scorer this season.
He added to his tally by converting his own try, and the home side were out to a 10-0 lead.
The Cowboys were back on the attack shortly after when a dummy from Reece Robson saw him into the clear. A flying Scott Drinkwater in support caught the offload to score under the black dot for the Cowboys’ third try.
The man of the night Holmes grabbed a double six minutes before the break, barging his way over carrying two defenders. A couple more tries went begging for the Cowboys, and they went to the break leading 20-0.
The Panthers were the more dominant side at the start of the second half. They opened the scoring in the second half when O’Sullivan threw a bullet pass to Robert Jennings close to the line to cross for the visitor’s first try of the night.
Penrith continued to apply the pressure, keeping the Cowboys on the back foot. A kick on the last was taken in goal by Holmes, who raced to the 20m line for a quick tap. He took off up field and passed on the inside to Feldt, who got the ball back to Holmes who pinned the ears back to score his hattrick.
When Panthers’ centre Thomas Jenkins was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul, many thought the floodgates would open. Instead, the visitors were the next to score when winger Sunia Turuva scored in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful, and they trailed 26-8.
The Cowboys hit back a Dearden kick bounced awkwardly and over fullback Charlie Staines, and was pounced on by a flying Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for the Cowboys’ sixth.
In the blink of an eye, they were at it again. A perfectly weighted 40-20 from co-captain Chad Townsend got the Cowboys back up near the Panthers line. A loose McLean pass was swopped up by Reece Robson who raced over to score. With Holmes earing a spell, Townsend added the extras, and the Cowboys were out to a 38-8 lead.
A final minute dash up the sideline by Drinkwater was stopped by a superb tackle from Eddie Blacker, and the game ended with a 30-point differential.
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