Match Report: Jersey Flegg Cup Round 9 vs Panthers

The Sea Eagles were right in the game at 14-6 at half-time before the Panthers capitalised on the mistakes at Parker Street Reserve, Penrith, to leave Manly winless after nine rounds.

Despite the loss, it was a much-improved performance from the Sea Eagles after conceding 50 points last week.

The Sea Eagles were boosted by the addition of five-eighth Beau Alexander, centre Quinn Timperon, and prop Freddie Benson-Sparkes from last week’s SG Ball finals team.

Penrith opened the scoring in the fourth minute when second-rower Leo-Stipe Latu ran off a short ball from five-eighth Haami Loza for a 4-0 lead.

Latu grabbed his second try in the 17th minute when he finished off some razzle dazzle play to make it 8-0.

One play after taking an intercept pass from Manly, the Panthers were in again when full-back Darcy Feltham sliced through to beat three defenders in a 55 metre try for a 14-0 lead after 23 minutes.

Prolific Manly try scorer in rising young centre Benjamin Keene-O’Keefe showed his strength when he pushed through three defenders to score four minutes later for 14-6.

The Sea Eagles then showed some great defensive steel in the lead up to half-time after heavy pressure on their line.

A spilt bomb from Manly full-back Aymn Hamilton saw Penrith centre Joshua Debritt stretch the lead to 20-6 three minutes after half-time.

Penrith capitalised on another drop ball for Feltham to race 55 metres again to score for a 26-6 lead after 65 minutes.

A drop ball again from Hamilton five metres out from Penrith’s line saw the Panthers race over halfway. The next play, Penrith spread the ball right for half-back Ellyjah Birve to get on the outside of the scrambling defence to race away to score for a 24-point lead after 74 minutes.

The Sea Eagles have a bye next weekend before the competition takes a break in Magic Round.