Manly Warringah Sea Eagles suffered a 15-12 loss to Penrith Panthers at Panthers Stadium tonight in round 12 of the Telstra Premiership.
The Sea Eagles went into the match missing Origin players Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic. Lloyd Perrett was added to the team to replace an ill Morgan Boyle.
In a match that kicked off in nine degrees in front of a crowd of 7981, the Panthers created the first attacking opportunity in the opening minutes when former Sea Eagles player Frank Winterstein made a break down the right flank but his pass to half-back James Maloney went astray.
Manly hooker Api Koroisau was held up on the line in the 13th minute in the Sea Eagles’ first scoring opportunity.
The Sea Eagles soaked up plenty of pressure on their line before Maloney converted a penalty goal in the 21st minute to take a 2-0 lead.
A minute later, the Panthers crossed for their first try when full-back Dylan Edwards finished off a break from Liam Martin to score next to the posts. Maloney converted for an 8-0 lead after 25 minutes.
Maloney kicked a 35 metre field goal in the final seconds to give Penrith a 9-0 lead at half-time.
The Sea Eagles lost second-rower Jack Gosiewski for 10 minutes after a high tackle and a push on Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai, who was also sent to the sin-bin in the 55th minute.
The Panthers went to a 13-0 lead when Martin swooped on a grubber kick to score out wide with 15 minutes remaining. Maloney converted for a 15-0 lead.
Manly opened its account when five-eighth Cade Cust sliced through a gap to send hooker Manase Fainu over five minutes later. Centre Reuben Garrick converted for a 15-6 scoreline.
The Sea Eagles got back to 15-12 with three minutes remaining after Garrick converted a try to Cust from the sideline after good lead up work by Dylan Walker and Fainu.
The Panthers held on in the final minutes to take the two points.
Manly play Nth Qld Cowboys in Townsville next Saturday night.
