By MARK CASHMAN

Southern Districts coach Todd Louden believes that Nepean Rugby Park will be a hard place to travel to and play in the wake of his side 29-14 win over Penrith on Saturday.

The Rebels scored four tries to one in what was a quite even contest where the visitors jumped out early but never really got the upper hand completely.

“We ran a lot of new players but Penrith are a work in progress and have some very good rugby league athletes that ‘Muggo’ will mould over time,” Louden said.

“Being the first home game at Emu Park in three years there were some unique challenges but I felt that we were always in control of the match.

“Penrith will be a hard place to travel if other clubs are not careful.”

Joey Cotton, one of five players released to the Shute Shield from the Waratahs wider squad for the rest of the year, played 60 minutes and did well when you consider he is not 100 percent familiar with all the calls.

Christian Kagiassis was his normal polished self while Isoa Nasilasila and Mila Lalotoa, when he came on, controlled the game well.

Penrith coach John Muggleton said the performance of his side suggested that they had taken a significant step forward from the performance against Northern Suburbs.

“The assistant coaches (Dan Geurs and ‘Bubba’ Ryan) have worked hard on our line out and scrum and for the most part they held up well,” Muggleton said.

“Our attacking line out went well and there is still some work needed on our defensive line out but the performance was significantly better than the week before.

“We want to make Nepean Rugby Park a tough place to come to and play rugby and I think we are getting there on that front.

“Some of our option taking wasn’t absolutely spot on but we are getting a real feel for the pace of the game and where and when to keep pressure on.”

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 29 (Isoa Nasilasila 2, Nick Brown, Christian Kagiassis tries; Kagiassis 3 conversions, 1 pen goal) d PENRITH 14 (Luke Nadurutalo try; Netane Masima 3 pen goals) at Nepean Rugby Park.

IMAGE: RAMONA ANDREWS / PENRITH EMUS