Panthers move into top three with solid win

The Wests Brisbane Panthers moved to third place on the In Safe Hands Cup ladder with a 30-16 win over the Souths Logan Magpies.

Defence ruled the first 30 minutes, as the scoreboard remained unchanged until Panthers centre Eddie Tautali busted through to touch down on the left-hand side of Frank Lind Oval shortly before halftime.

Magpies halfback Josh Boyer-Bowen responded six minutes later with a cut-out pass to the right for Lenny Magey, who crossed to level the scores.

A long-range penalty goal from Khan Ahwang handed the Panthers a two-point halftime lead.

Tautali crossed for his double on the back of a damaging run from Foisa Peni shortly after play resumed, before the Panthers further extended their lead with a remarkable try.

Mackenzie Reid kicked deep looking for a 40/20, only for Magpies fullback Benaiah Bowie to desperately punch at the ball to keep it in play. Unfortunately for Bowie, it was Panther James Olds who led the chase and recovered the ball to race away and score.

The Magpies hit back when Bruce Ten thundered over from close range to cut the margin to eight points with 18 minutes to go.

It was a flicker of hope, but an Ahwang try gave the Panthers some breathing room in the final exchanges.

Souths counter-punched with a try soon after to keep the visitors alive, before Panthers skipper Troy Swift put the game to bed with a try in the 79th minute.

Elsewhere in Round 5, the Diehards continued the suffering of the Redcliffe Dolphins on the back of a David Fauid double and a 30-18 win.

The Diehards remain on top of the ladder on equal points with the Seagulls, who handed the Easts Tigers a third consecutive loss, 32-16.

All teams in the In Safe Hands Cup will get the bye this weekend for the Easter holidays and resume for Round 6 on the weekend of April 27-28.

Main Photo: Panthers v Tigers from the 2018 season - File Image

In Safe Hands Cup Round 5 results

Diehards 30 (David Fauid 2, Sam Collins, Liam Horne, Ethan Richards tries; Jack Miers 5 goals) defeated Dolphins 18 (Kyle Foxwell, Bailey Butler, Fabien Palatua-Kiri tries Oscar Carter 3 goals)

Panthers 30 (Eddie Tautali 2, James Olds 2, Khan Ahwang tries; Khan Awhang 5 goals) defeated Magpies 16 (Luke Burton, Lenny Magey, Bruce Ten tries; Josh Bowyer-Bowen 2 goals)

Seagulls 32 (Matt Milson, Brad Mana, Pat Templeman, Tristan Hope, Sam Elliott tries Pat Templeman 6 goals) defeated Tigers 16 (Matt Ruthenberg 2, Chris Ostwald tries Nathan Brown 2 goals)

Ladder