A dazzling four-try haul from fullback Dylan Edwards led the Panthers to a 44-12 win over the Sea Eagles at BlueBet Stadium on Saturday night.
Edwards got the ball rolling in just the fifth minute and had a hat-trick by half-time as the premiers sent an ominous warning to the rest of the competition with their second big haul in as many weeks.
After Edwards had crossed, a penalty against Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny for a steal gave the Sea Eagles a chance to hit back immediately but Jason Saab was denied by a desperation cover tackle from Sunia Turuva.
Sea Eagles hooker Lachlan Croker produced a 40-20 in the 11th minute but the visitors were unable to capitalise on the opportunity and six minutes later the Panthers were in again when Stephen Crichton delivered a superb pass out of dummy half to put Brian To’o over in the corner.
An offside penalty against Kelma Tuilagi handed Nathan Cleary an easy shot from close range and the halfback knocked it over for a 14-0 lead.
Come the 29th minute and Edwards had a double after he put some footwork on Kaeo Weekes and cruised over to make it 20-0 with Cleary’s conversion.
Edwards had a hat-trick soon after when Soni Luke, Isaah Yeo and Cleary combined to set the fullback up and back-rower Scott Sorensen made it 32-0 at the break when he capitalised on more skilful lead-up work by Luke.
A horror start to the second half for Manly with Daly Cherry-Evans kicking out on the full but a timely intercept by returning winger Jason Saab defused the danger.
The Sea Eagles made it over the line in the 51st minute through Ethan Bullemor but the bench forward was penalised for a double movement.
Two minutes later the Panthers exploded from 40 metres out when Crichton found To’o who found Edwards looming in support for his fourth try.
To the Sea Eagles’ credit they refused to lie down and came up with a try through Saab off a neat Cherry-Evans grubber to make the score 38-6.
The Sea Eagles made it over the line in the 51st minute through Ethan Bullemor but the bench forward was penalised for a double movement.
Two minutes later the Panthers exploded from 40 metres out when Crichton found To’o who found Edwards looming in support for his fourth try.
To the Sea Eagles’ credit they refused to lie down and came up with a try through Saab off a neat Cherry-Evans grubber to make the score 38-6.
Luke continued his impressive night when he darted out of dummy half and earned Penrith a repeat set with a well weighted grubber kick but Manly held on.
With seven minutes to play the Sea Eagles worked their way upfield on the back of a penalty and Tom Trbojevic grabbed a four-pointer after Crichton had spilled a bomb. Cherry-Evans’ converted for 38-12.
A try to Cleary in the final minute off a Luke grubber put the icing on the Panthers’ third win of the season.
Source: NRL.com