Rugby Union: Penrith 24, Liverpool St Helens

Jan 14 2008 by John Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL St Helens slipped into the North One relegation zone after a lacklustre display at fellow strugglers Penrith.

Completely out of sorts they failed to trouble the home side in any area of play.

The Cumbrians took full advantage directed by a masterful performance from stand-off Steve Wood and powerful displays from Rob Dawson and Mark Bowman in the pack. Best for LSH were late call-up Andrew Rigby and the consistent Mark Dickinson.

The first half was a dour affair after which Penrith led 6-3 through two Conrad Jansen penalties to one from Simon Worsley.

Penrith made the vital breakthrough in the 48th minute when full-back Jensen burst through to score before converting his own try. The South African then took his personal haul and his side’s total to19 points with two more penalties as LSH struggled to find any fluency.

Stocky wingman Joe Nattrass sealed the win with a last-minute try to move Penrith off the bottom, leaving LSH with a desperate fight for survival in the next few months.