Defending NRL premiers Penrith Panthers have survived a scare to record the second straight win of their title defence, defeating St George Dragons 20-16 at Sydney.
A first-half double to new Panthers centurion Viliami Kikau and another try to Spencer Leniu gave the Panthers a 20-6 advantage at the break, with Tyrell Sloan scoring the Dragons' only try of the first half.
But the Panthers were kept scoreless throughout the second half, as the Dragons ran in two tries through Jaydn Su'A and Zac Lomax.
Penrith's cause wasn't aided by injuries to winger Brian To'o and Kiwi prop James Fisher-Harris, neither of whom finished the match. The duo would join star halfback Nathan Cleary on the sidelines, with the star playmaker already ruled out of the season's opening rounds.
Despite one last attack in search of a levelling try, an error from Talatau Amone ended Dragons comeback hopes and gave Penrith a narrow, unconvincing win.
Regardless, Penrith sit atop NRL standings with four points, with wins in their first two games.
Fellow title contenders Sydney Roosters had no such trouble in their round two clash, defeating Manly Sea Eagles 26-12 for their first victory of the season.
A stunning first-half display saw the Roosters run in four tries without conceding, as Drew Hutchison, Daniel Tupou, Nat Butcher and Sitili Tupouniua added their names to the scoresheet for a 22-0 halftime advantage.
Former NZ Warriors utility Karl Lawton struck back for Manly after the break, but Sydney's Nat Butcher cancelled it out with a try of his own.
Halfback Daly Cherry-Evans scored Manly's second try, but it was too little, too late for the Sea Eagles, who had to settle for another defeat, after losing to the Panthers last week.
The Roosters have moved to ninth on the NRL ladder with two matches played, while the Sea Eagles prop up the table in last place - winless from their first two matches.
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