Sea Eagles soar to send the Panthers last

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Penrith Panthers v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

The Manly Sea Eagles have recorded a rare win over the Penrith Panthers to send the four-time champions crashing to the bottom of the premiership ladder. 

Breaking through for only their fourth win from 19 matches against the Panthers over the last decade, the Sea Eagles led from start to finish to run out 26-10 victors in a contest riddled with oversight from the bunker.

The Sea Eagles wasted little time in capitalising on an early string of penalties with Reuben Garrick (6th minute) opening the scoring with his sixth try of the year.

Errors continued to plague Penrith and returning Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic was more than willing to punish the premiers with a lovely pass allowing Tommy Talau (19th minute) to cash in on a well-executed right-side raid.

A penalty goal to Garrick pushed the Sea Eagles beyond two converted tries, while a sin bin against Scott Sorenson from the ensuring kick-off (for a shoulder charge on Nathan Brown) completed a half of contrasting fortunes as the visitors took a 14-0 lead to the sheds.

Mounting a spirited comeback with tries to Blaize Talagi (45th minute) and Izack Tago (50th minute) in quick succession, the Panthers looked to level the scores with Luke Sommerton burrowing over only for the bunker to rule the replacement hooker held up.

The bunker continued to intervene with a retrospective sin bin against Siosiua Taukeiaho (for high contact on Isaiah Papalii) followed by Paul Alamoti being sent for ten minutes (for a professional foul on Daly Cherry-Evans in a try-scoring situation).

Garrick edged the Sea Eagles out to a converted try lead with a penalty goal from the Alamoti sin bin, before Haumole Olakau'atu (62nd minute) soared high to touch down for his first try of the season in the following set.

A superbly executed set play from Cherry-Evans allowed Tolu Koula (68th minute) to streak over for a stellar four-pointer to break the side's run of three losses.

Next week, the Panthers will face the Broncos on Sunday afternoon in Magic Round, while the Sea Eagles will have their first bye of the season.