NRL: Panthers hold on to beat Storm in shock upset

Blake Ferguson of the Raiders. Photo / Getty Images

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

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.

But that meant nothing at Centrebet Stadium as the Panthers grimly defended their way to a famous victory after 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 from a double to try-scoring whiz David Simmons.

His first-half efforts were split by a four-pointer to Travis Robinson.

Luke 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 four minutes into the second half when winger Sisa Waqa capitalised on a Robinson error.

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

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

At Canberra stadium yesterday, centre Blake Ferguson starred again for the Canberra Raiders, bagging three tries to help his NRL side thump Newcastle 44-14

In typical Raiders fashion, they overcame an early 14-0 deficit to romp home with 44 unanswered points and post their eighth consecutive home win.

The Raiders created havoc down the right edge, and Sandor Earl also snared three tries.

A fired-up Gold Coast beat St George Illawarra 15-14 at Skilled Park.

Fuming after a Will Zillman try was disallowed by video referee Luke Phillips for obstruction, the Titans reeled in a six-point deficit in the final 20 minutes to take the points.

Trailing 14-8, the Titans were stunned when Zillman's try was ruled out and took out their frustrations on the visitors, with Zillman scoring to level the scores before a field goal by Aidan Sezer put the hosts ahead.

Dragons playmaker Jamie Soward had at least two chances to kick a levelling field goal in the final 10 minutes.

Panthers 12
Storm 10

Raiders 44
Knights14

Titans15
Dragons14

- AAP