Sea Eagles break 12 year
hoodoo in Penrith

Round 13
Penrith Panthers 22 v Manly Sea Eagles 29
at CUA Stadium Penrith
Referees: Tony Archer

Match Summary:
The Manly Sea Eagles have defeated the Penrith Panthers 29-22 at CUA stadium Penrith.

The Sea Eagles got off to dream start when Stewart crossed in the 3rd and 7th minute to put the home team on the backfoot right from the beginning. The Sea Eagles extended that lead to 16 after Steve Menzies picked up a deserved try in his 300th first grade game.

The Panthers clicked into gear in the last 10 minutes with 2 quick tries in succession to get right back into the match. The momentun had turned their way until the last minute of the half when they decided to run the ball on the last tackle and ended up turning over cheap possession. From the ensueing set the Sea Eagles scored again with Brett Stewart picking up a hatrick and giving his side a 20-10 halftime lead.

Both sides where playing constructive football as the game flowed from end to end but it was the Sea Eagles who opened the scoring in the second half with a penalty goal to Travis Burns to give them a 12 point lead. Steve Bell then drove a nail into the coffin of the Panthers when he went through some poor defence to give the visitors an 18 point lead with 19 minutes to go.

To the Panthers credit they hit back late in the match to pick up 2 more tries but the Sea Eagles where always in control after Monaghan drilled a field goal for a 13 point lead. Anthony Watmough was great today proving strong in defence and attack and was well supported by Steve Menzies who played his usual high standard game. Brett Stewart continues his try scoring feats picking up a hatrick in the first half.

Scorers:
Penrith Panthers: 22
Tries: Luke Rooney, Trent Waterhouse, Rhys Wesser, Paul Aiton
Goals: Preston Campbell 3/4
Manly Sea Eagles: 29
Tries: Steve Menzies, Brett Stewart(3), Steve Bell
Goals: Travis Burns 4/5, Matt Orford 0/1
Field Goals: Michael Monaghan

By the Clock:
Welcome to CUA Stadium at Penrith for this rd 13 match between the Penrith Panthers & the Manly Sea Eagles. The Panthers come into the match with a good performance last week against the Storm to go down by a point in extra time and they will need to show the same commitment today. The Sea Eagles are coming off the bye and will be boosted by the return of Ben Kennedy from injury.
The Sea Eagles have not won at Penrith since 1994 and will be looking to break that hoodoo today. Steve Menzies will celebrate 300 first grade games today a feat only achieved by 9 other players.
Craig Gower is out for the Panthers. Lee Hookey comes into the side to replace Luke Lewis in the centres who will reshuffle into the five eight position and Preston Campbell moves to halfback. The Sea Eagles are as per program


1 min: NEWS Sea Eagles kickoff and play is underway

3 min: TRY Manly Sea Eagles
The Sea Eagles spread the ball to score out wide on the back of a penalty. Conversion unsuccessful
Sea Eagles 4-0

7 min: NEWS Off to the video ref for another try to the Sea Eagles Brett Stewart, checking for a double movement

7 min: TRY Manly Sea Eagles
Brett Stewart picks up a double after only 7 minutes after the Panthers lose the ball. Conversion successful
Sea Eagles 10-0

11 min: NEWS Panthers will go on the attack for the first time after the Sea Eagles give away a silly penalty

14 min: NEWS Panthers put down a half chance after Tony Puletua gives a great ball to Lee Hookey who knocks on

16 min: NEWS Steve Matai is injured and receiving attention, on the back of a big hit from Watmough on Cross

18 min: NEWS Monaghan scoots out of dummy half and appeared to put the ball on the line but the ref called held up short. A let off for the Panthers

25 min: TRY Manly Sea Eagles
A beautiful cross field kick from Orford see Menzies take the ball out of Preston Campbells hands and score a try in his 300th game. Conversion successful
Sea Eagles 16-0

30 min: NEWS Menzies almost gets another try from a kick that results in a Panthers goal line drop out.

33 min: NEWS Off to the video ref for a possible Panthers try

33 min: TRY Penrith Panthers
The Panthers put the ball up high and Hicks make a mess of it for Rooney to score out wide. Conversion successful
Sea Eagles 16-6

36 min: TRY Penrith Panthers
Campbell changes direction and gives a great pass to a flying Wesser to score a try on the back of some great lead up work. Conversion unsuccessful
Sea Eagles 16-10

39 min: TRY Manly Sea Eagles
Brett Stewart picks up a hatrick on the stroke of halftime after the Panthers decide to run the ball on the last tackle and turn the ball over. Conversion unsuccessful
Sea Eagles 20-10

40 min: NEWS Halftime.. The Sea Eagles have clearly been the better side for the first half until the lacklustre Panthers sprung into action in the last 10 minutes with 2 quick tries to get back into the match only to let the Sea Eagles score in the last minute. Can the Sea Eagles break their 12 year hoodoo at Penrith stay tuned.

41 min: NEWS Panthers get us underway in the second half

43 min: NEWS Goal line drop out to the Sea Eagles

46 min: NEWS Shane Dunley is placed on report for a high tackle on Rhys Wesser

47 min: NEWS Frank Puletua gets the ball slapped out of his hand with the line wide open

50 min: PENALTY GOAL Manly Sea Eagles
The Sea Eagles get a penalty after Rhys Wesser is penalised for a high tackle
Sea Eagles 22-10

56 min: NEWS Steve Menzies goes through a hole only to be stopped in try saving tackle by Rhys Wesser

58 min: NEWS Off to the video ref for a possible try to the Sea Eagles

58 min: NEWS NO TRY - 20 metre restart. Robertson is ruled to have knocked on when putting the ball down.

61 min: TRY Manly Sea Eagles
Steve Bell goes through some poor defense from Lee Hookey to score an easy try. Conversion successful.
Sea Eagles 28-10

65 min: TRY Penrith Panthers
Waterhouse steams onto a ball from Campbell to go through the hole and score an easy try. Conversion successful
Sea Eagles 28-16

67 min: FIELD GOAL Manly Sea Eagles
Michael Monaghan pots a field goal to extend the lead to 13. A long way back now for the Panthers
Sea Eagles 29-16

74 min: TRY Penrith Panthers
Paul Aiton scores a great solo try after nearly being tackled near the line and gets up again and scores. Conversion successful
Sea Eagles 29-22

76 min: NEWS Penalty to Panthers after the Sea Eagles kick out on the full.



80 min: NEWS Fulltime.. The Sea Eagles have finally come away from Penrith with a victory after 12 long years surviving a late fightback from the Panthers. The Sea Eagles always seemed to be in control and the match was sealed when Michael Monaghan potted a field goal to extend the lead to 13 with only 12 minutes to go.
-----------------------------------------
Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Anthony Watmough (Sea Eagles)
2 - Brett Stewart (Sea Eagles)
1 - Steve Menzies (Sea Eagles)
-----------------------------------------