Kikau stars in big Panthers win

Fiji Bati forward Viliame Kikau scored a try and featured strongly in Penrith Panthers 42-6 win over the Newcastle Knights in Round 14 of the NRL yesterday.

 

The Panthers got first on the scoreboard with a 4th minute try through superstar Captain Nathan Cleary and he converted for a 6-nil lead.

 

In the 12th minute the Panthers doubled their lead when Viliame Kikau steamrolled Kalyn Ponga to cross on the left edge and Cleary converted again.

 

Knights unforced errors gave more plays and ball possession to the Panthers they were relentless in scoring further two back to back tries through Taylan May and Brian To’o while Clearly booted both for a 26-nil at the breather.

 

Panthers maintained their winning form in the second half of the match which saw Izack Tago, Stephen Crichton and Brian To'o score additional tries while Cleary converted twice.

 

The Knights came from behind and scored their only try from Edrick Lee and Jake Clifford converted.

 

Meanwhile, Kikau won the play of the game through his awesome sight in full flight where the Knight's defenders tried to stop him but he was unstoppable. 

 

Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga put his body on the line in the 14th minute to try and stop Kikau who was on his way to the line after good lead-up work by Nathan Cleary, Matt Eisenhuth, and Jarome Luai.

 

The big man crossed for his sixth try of the season and Ponga was left in his wake after hitting his head hard on the ground.

 

By Romeka Romena