Jennings lifts Panthers

NSW State of Origin star Michael Jennings has collected a hat-trick to help Penrith come from behind and snatch a vital 28-20 victory over North Queensland at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

The Panthers trailed 16-10 after 66 minutes before responding with four pointers to Michael Jennings (2) and Jarrod Sammut to steal the game from the disappointing Cowboys.

It was Penrith's ninth success in 12 visits to Townsville, keeping the mountain men in touch with the top four.

Jennings was once again outstanding, speed and anticipation a factor in all three of his tries.

Penrith found themselves behind on 11 minutes after falling for one of the oldest tricks in the NRL.

Cowboys skipper Johnathan Thurston showed the ball and went himself as the Panthers defence stood and watched.

Thurston converted his own try for a 6-0 lead.

When Willie Tonga flew through the air to collect a Matt Bowen grubber on 26 minutes, the hosts were cruising at 10-0.

But the Panthers of 2009 are made of sterner stuff than their recent predecessors.

With former Test cricket captain Mark Taylor watching from the stands, Jennings displayed the hands of a slips fieldsman to retrieve a loose grubber and dive over.

Michael Gordon added the extras for a 10-6 scoreline.

Two minutes before the break the Panthers were level.

The speedy Gordon was first to Trent Waterhouse's sideline-hugging grubber, tapping the ball up and over the cover defence for a spectacular – albeit controversial – four pointer.

North Queensland regained the upper hand with a try to Carl Webb just before the hour mark.

But that was Penrith's cue to go up a level.

With nothing much doing, Jennings picked up a loose ball and hit the gas to the line after 66 minutes.

Gordon's conversion locked it up at 16-all.

Four minutes later the visitors were ahead for the first time.

The diminutive Jarrod Sammut ducked, weaved and pinballed his way through some tired defence close to the line to score a remarkable try.

The Cowboys threatened to send the game into extra time with a John Williams try six minutes from the end, but Thurston's poor conversion attempt left them trailing 22-20.

Jennings' third try on the stroke of full-time sealed the Cowboys' fate.

North Queensland 20
Tries: Thurston, Tonga, Webb, Williams
Goals: Thurston 2

Penrith 28
Tries: Jennings 3, Gordon, Sammut
Goals: Gordon 4