An extra-time golden try from Penrith youngster Tyrone May has secured the Panthers their maiden Auckland Nines semi-finals appearance against Parramatta.
Penrith appeared to be out of their quarter-final against Manly when they trailed 12-5 with two minutes to go, before Sione Katoa picked up a loose ball to score a bonus-point try.
Nathan Cleary then gifted the Sea Eagles a perfect opportunity when he put the kick off out on the full, but Joey Lussick missed a field goal attempt on the siren to win it.
Manly winger Jorge Taufua spilled the ball in the first tackle of extra time, before May capitalised to seal the 16-12 win and continue Penrith’s unbeaten weekend.
“I can feel a bit of momentum,” May said.
“That game was really tough and the Titans game we played real well.
“We’ve just got to focus on cutting out those silly offloads that we did and just try and complete our sets and grind out them wins.”
Parramatta then held the Gold Coast scoreless in their quarter-final clash, running out 14-0 winners as Bevan French scored twice and Semi Radradra once.
The Titans were without Jarryd Hayne, who suffered a minor knee injury on day one.
Meanwhile a dream meeting between North Queensland and Melbourne headlines the second group of Auckland Nines quarter-finals on Sunday afternoon.
Brisbane lost their final round match against the Wests Tigers 17-10, but still finished on top of their pool and face the Sydney Roosters, who whitewashed Canberra 21-0 on Sunday.
Earlier, tournament hosts the Warriors produced their worst performance in nines history after finishing the pre-season event without a win.
Drawcard Shaun Johnson was again a no-show as the NRL club opted to rest their star halfback following his groin strain in the warm-up of their opener on Saturday.
Warriors legend Ruben Wiki, who came out of retirement to feature in the nines, defended the club’s decision to field a vastly inexperienced squad on home soil.
“These guys could be my sons. They’re just coming out of school. I think they’ll take something out of this and hopefully get better come the pre-season games,” Wiki said.
