Caption: Dylan Walker had a superb game against Penrith at Brookvale Oval today.
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles suffered a 31-24 loss to Penrith Panthers at Brookvale Oval today in round 14 of the Telstra Premiership.
The Sea Eagles turned in a strong first half performance to lead 24-4 at half-time before the Panthers rallied to storm home to shock Manly and their supporters to snatch the two competition points.
It was Manly's fifth consecutive loss of the season.
The first Sunday afternoon game at Brookvake Oval of the season for the Sea Eagles saw Manly go into the game without key men Jamie Lyon, Daly Cherry-Evans, and Steve Matai who were missing through injury.
The team were co-captained by Manly junior Jake Trbojevic and former Gold Coast Titans leader Nate Myles.
Manly opened the scoring in the second minute when five-eighth Dylan Walker used his strength to push through the defence to score. He converted his own try for a 6-0 lead.
The Panthers hit back when centre Tyrone Peachey stepped his way to the line for a 6-4 scoreline before a flying Tom Trbojevic planted the ball down in the left corner for a 10-4 lead. Walker converted from the sideline to give Manly a 12-4 lead after 20 minutes.
Walker then grabbed his second try when he chipped over the top for Matthew Wright to regather before sending Walker on his way to the tryline. Walker converted his own try for an 18-4 lead.
Manly took a 20-4 lead into half-time when Walker converted a penalty from in front of the posts in the 37th minute.
Second Half
The Sea Eagles stretched their lead to 24-4 when winger Jorge Taufua pounced on his own kick through to score after Tom Trbojevic leapt high to knock a crossfield kick back into the arms of Brett Stewart who offloaded to his winger.
The Panthers then scored 27 unanswered points through consecutive tries to Josh Mansour, Nathan Cleary, Leilani Latu, Peter Wallace and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, before Matt Moylan kicked a field goal to secure victory for Penrith.
Earlier today, Manly suffered a 60-6 loss to Penrith in the Holden Cup after trailing 36-6 at half-time. The Sea Eagles sit on the bottom of the ladder.
Manly’s next match is against Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Stadium on Monday, June 20, at 7pm.
