May impresses in Panthers win over Tigers

Tyrone May looks set to give Penrith some playmaking depth this season after impressing in their 32-4 pre-season win over Wests Tigers.

Playing in his first rugby league match since being sidelined under the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy, May scored a try and set up another on Saturday night.

The contest also marked the first appearance of the year for Josh Reynolds, who was cleared to play earlier this month despite facing domestic violence charges.

Reynolds tried hard to spark an otherwise lifeless Tigers attack at five-eighth in the first half before spending another 25 minutes at hooker.

Adam Doueihi and Luciano Leilua were quiet in their first outing in Tigers colours, while Zane Musgrove was arguably their best forward.

Musgrove was playing his first game since being found guilty of assault with an act of indecency that put his career on hold last season.

For the Panthers, centre Brent Naden impressed with two tries and playing a role in two others in the second half.

Likely round one fullback Caleb Aekins was a late withdrawal as he attended the birth of his first child, however should be back for their final hit-out next week.

There was plenty of rust to shake off for both teams in an uneventful first half at Panthers Stadium, with Naden posting first points in the 13th minute.

Tigers winger Reece Hoffman responded in the 20th in a try reminiscent of the one that controversially knocked the Panthers out of last week’s Nines event.

Replays showed Hoffman failed to ground the ball correctly.

Panthers playmaker Jarome Luai and Tigers centre Matheson Johns were both sin-binned following a fracas in the 31st minute.

Luai’s exit prompted the introduction of May, who stood out with bleached hair, and threw a poor pass with his first touch.

After both teams headed into halftime level at 4-all, Penrith dominated with four tries in the second period.

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