Rabbitohs prop George Burgess made a return from injury for the North Sydney Bears on Saturday, playing approximately 20 minutes in the Bears’ loss to the Panthers, 34 points to 22, at North Sydney Oval.
Burgess was a late inclusion on the interchange bench in a game which saw Rabbitohs winger Dane Nielsen score a double.
The Panthers had a surprise inclusion of their own with Tyrone Peachey turning out for the Panthers.
The Panthers shot out to a 22-nil lead, before Nielsen crossed for the first of his two tries in the 30th minute, crossing in the left hand corner. Halfback Eli Levido kicked the conversion from the touchline to reduce the deficit to 16 points.
Hooker Brad Deitz scored the next try three minutes later off the back of a rampaging run from George Burgess. Levido converted again to take the score line to 22-12.
The Panthers scored just before the half time break, taking the half time scoreline to 28-12 in favour of the visitors.
The Bears turned the momentum in the second half, with Nielsen crossing for his second try 47th minute of play, reducing the Panthers’ lead to 12.
Rabbitohs under 20s player Latrell Robinson showed his wares in the 64th minute when he crossed for a try, and Levido was on song with the boot again, giving the Bears a sniff trailling 28-22.
The Bears maintained pressure on the Panthers, but a Panthers try four minutes from full time sealed the win for the men from the foot of the mountains.
Penrith Panthers 34
defeated
North Sydney Bears 22 (Dane Nielsen 2, Brad Deitz, Latrell Robinson tries; Eli Levido 3 goals)
