Penrith Panthers have maintained their flawless start to the NRL season with a 24-6 win over Newcastle Knights in Sydney.
The Knights hung in the contest against the red-hot Panthers, but ultimately wilted under the offensive pressure of the Western Sydney side, which had been further bolstered by the return of fullback Dylan Edwards.
Recovered from a broken hand suffered against Melbourne Storm last month, Edwards quickly made up for lost time, running for a total of 269m with seven tackle busts, adding the decisive try in the 67th minute to put the Knights away.
With their seventh win in as many rounds completed, Penrith now sit four points clear atop the NRL ladder.
The Panthers got off to an ominous start, as Nathan Cleary - who was typically outstanding throughout - grubbered for Stephen Crichton to open the scoring after five minutes.
They crossed again 15 minutes later, when Jarome Luai delivered a no-look short ball to put Matt Burton over untouched to extend the Panthers lead.
Against the run of play, the Knights then struck back for their only try, as Starford To'a laid a monster fend on Edwards to dash 40m and reduce his team's deficit to 10-6 at halftime.
The Panthers were held to just a penalty through most of the second stanza, until Edwards took an inside ball from a set-piece scrum move to cross next to the uprights.
Penrith then sealed victory with a well deserved try to Brian To'o, as the powerhouse winger finished acrobatically in the corner.
Penrith Panthers 24 (Crichton, Burton, Edwards, To'o tries, Cleary 3 cons, pen) Newcastle Knights 6 (To'a try, Ponga con)'
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