Chris Rooney reviews the round eight clash between the Panthers and Sea Eagles at Carrington Park.
Here’s how the game went.
SCOREBOARD
Panthers 28
Tries: Dylan Edwards (9), Brian To’o (12), Liam Martin (30), Tyrone May (56), Stephen Crichton (77)
Goals: Nathan Cleary (11, 32, 57, 77)
Sea Eagles 16
Tries: Tom Trbojevic (25), Daly Cherry-Evans (47), Jason Saab (73)
Goals: Reuben Garrick (6 – pen), Daly Cherry-Evans (47)
Player of the Year Points
Embed from Getty Images3 pts – Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
2 pts – Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)
1 pt – Jake Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
MATCH REPORT
Embed from Getty Images1st Half
After a few set restarts given away from the Sea Eagles, the Panthers were making easy metres down the field to start the match.
After five minutes the Panthers gave away an early penalty for being offside and the Sea Eagles were first on the board after converting a penalty goal right in front.
It didn’t take long for the Panthers to make up for giving away the penalty goal, with a great run from Dylan Edwards, then onto to Brian To’o and Matt Burton (kicking infield) for Edwards to finish off the great work by scoring the first try of the afternoon.
The Panthers continue to make easy metres down the ground and after a poor defensive read from Jason Saab, and To’o went over for the Panthers second try of the afternoon.
Tom Trbojevic was the man to get some momentum back for the Sea Eagles after a great solo try by running down the length of the field after intercepting the ball.
Another set restart was given away from the Sea Eagles and the Panthers were back on the board after a great pass from Nathan Cleary to Liam Martin close to the line.
HALF-TIME: Penrith Panthers 16 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 6
Embed from Getty Images2nd Half
Whatever Hasler said to the Sea Eagles at half-time worked.
It was a great start to the half for the Sea Eagles after Cherry Evans kicked the ball which hit the goal post and he re-gathered to score the first try of the second half.
The Sea Eagles kept putting pressure on the Panthers after a number of set drop outs and hard running.
The Panthers were able to hold on but all the momentum was with the Sea Eagles until a lazy penalty was given away by them. The Panthers continue to work hard upwards to the Sea Eagles’ line and a great kick from Cleary set up Tyrone May to score another try for the Panthers.
With less than seven minutes to go, and after a stop-start second half, Saab scored the best try of the afternoon: beating everyone to score a crucial try for the Sea Eagles. But a forward pass from Tom Trbojevic killed all the momentum for the Sea Eagles as the Panthers scored the match-winning try to seal the game. A kick from Edwards was for all money going dead but there was a great chase from Martin to push the ball back into field and Stephen Crichton scored with three minutes to go.
FULL-TIME: Penrith Panthers 28 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 16
Injuries
Kurt Capewell (Panthers) – rib
Martin Taupau (Sea Eagles) – HIA
Match Review Committee
Matt Burton (Panthers) – Grade 1 High Tackle Careless – Early Guilty Plea $1150, Guilty at Judiciary $1500
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