Panthers pulverise putrid Sea Eagles

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Penrith Panthers v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

Penrith Panthers put on a first half show in their 44-12 win over Manly Sea Eagles in front of 20,312 on Saturday night at Penrith Stadium. 

The Panthers piled on five tries in their first half display which saw them leading 32-0 at the break. Fullback Dylan Edwards was the headline act with his four tries in another stampeding performance from the premiers. 

From the opening whistle, Panthers were on form. The hosts almost scored in their first set but didn't have to wait long for points. Edwards steamed onto a short pass and made it 6-0 for the packed house in Penrith. 

They weren't challenged much in defense in the first half but the Panthers stood tall. Sunia Turuva making a grasscutter tackle to deny the returning Jason Saab in firing back soon after. 

They rewarded that effort with doubling their advantage. Stephen Crichton snuck into dummy half and unfurled a fabulous pass out Brian To'o, who had the easiest passage to the line for the four-pointer. 

Next it was the Dylan Edwards show again. The fullback just stepped out of a flimsy tackle and touched down for his second before he completed the hat-trick with a typical custodian effort which had them crowd in raptures. 

Scott Sorensen rounded out the first half rout with a try through the front door. The second rower charged onto a short ball and slammed it down to make it 32-0 for the Panthers going into the half-time sheds. 

Things didn't start any better for the Sea Eagles in the second. Their first kick went out on the full then Ethan Bullemor couldn't resist stretching out for the try which was chalked off for double movement. 

Panthers made it six tries on the bounce, and four tries for the quiet achiever Dylan Edwards. Crichton swept it wide to To'o who rampaged down the wing then found the fullback inside to make it 38-0. 

Sea Eagles did find some consolation twice, both from kicks. Saab touched down a Daly Cherry-Evans kick then late in the proceedings Tom Trbojevic cleaned up the ball from two Panthers colliding to make it 38-12. 

The last say went to the Panthers. Soni Luke spied Trbojevic up in the line, toed through and found Nathan Cleary to round off the scoring. Cleary for his part was perfect with the boot kicking eight goals which included a first half penalty goal.