Match Report: Jersey Flegg Cup Round 20 vs Panthers

The first of three games for the day ended with a win for the Sea Eagles that went down to the wire. 

Manly led for much of the game and upset the Panthers, who are second on the ladder, to win back-to-back games for the second time this season.

Sea Eagles opened the scoring in the fourth minute through winger Quinn Timperon, who was on the receiving end of a beautiful cutout pass from halfback Charlie Boyle.

Tenzin Contor was unable to convert from the sideline, leaving the score at 4-0.

Penrith had multiple chances to hit back, but the defence from the home side was too strong.

Manly scored their second try in the 15th minute after skipper Sebastian Piukala got an offload away to hooker Christian Taula, who burrowed over for a try.

Contor converted from in front to extend the lead to 10-0.

Five minutes later, the Panthers got on the scoreboard when backrower Leo-Stipe Latu ran a nice line to score. Kye Raven converted to make the score 10-6.

Play was stopped with 10 minutes remaining in the first half when  interchange Manly forward Hussein Said was stretchered off for precautionary reasons after an awkward tackle.

Manly came out stronger after the short stoppage, defending their line well and were rewarded with a try to backrower Hugo Hart moments before the break.

Contor’s conversion put the Sea Eagles in front 16-6 at halftime.

Not long after the restart, Penrith scored off the back of a crossfield kick when winger Harry Wald linked up with his centre Tua Patea, who crossed for the visitors.

Raven’s conversion cut the lead to just four points early in the second half.

Manly scored their fourth try on the hour mark after forward Lewis Saad crashed over underneath the black dot. Contor converted to make it 22-12 in favour of Manly.

Penrith hit back shortly after when Latu scored his second try in the 65th minute. Raven added the extras from close range to peg it back to 22-18.

The Panthers went back-to-back to level the score with Patea scoring his second after a strong attacking set after points.

Raven converted from the sideline to give put the Panthers ahead 24-22 with 10 minutes remaining.

The Sea Eagles responded in the 74th minute when Boyle found his man in centre Max Davies, who hit a nice hole to put his team back in front. Contor was unable to convert with Manly leading 26-24.

The Sea Eagles held on in the final minutes to win their fourth game of the season, capping a courageous effort at 4 Pines Park.

Manly are back at 4 Pines Park next Sunday against the Cronulla Sharks in the first game of a triple header, kicking off at 11:45am.