The Panthers continue to stamp their authority on the NYC competition with a commanding 60-6 victory over Manly at Brookvale Oval on Sunday.
Braidon Burns scored three tries, while Ratu Tuisese, Kaide Ellis and Daniel Brown grabbed doubles.
Dean Blore made his NYC debut in the halves alongside Jarome Luai, while Oliver Clark and Reed Izzard returned from their respective injuries.
The Sea Eagles opened the scoring after only four minutes as prop Amoni Tufui crashed over from close range. Tevita Funa knocked the simple conversion for a 6-0 lead.
The Panthers hit back in the 12th minute as centre Braidon Burns held off a would-be tackler to reach out and score in the corner. Luai couldn’t convert and it remained 6-4.
It wasn’t long before they took the lead though as Luai threw an audacious cut-out pass on the final tackle to send Ratu Tuisese over. Luai then nailed the sideline conversion and the Panthers were ahead 10-6.
Panthers skipper Clark celebrated his return to the NYC with a 20th minute try, powering over the line from a few metres out. Luai’s conversion made the score 16-6.
Making a habit of spectacular airborne finishes, Tuisese grabbed his second try in the 24th minute. The conversion attempt was waved away and the Panthers led 20-6.
Panthers fullback Daniel Brown broke clear three minutes later and outpaced three Manly defenders to the tryline. The successful conversion put the visitors up 26-6.
Some slick offloads gifted backrower Kaide Ellis a try in the 32nd minute and the conversion put Panthers out to a 32-6 lead.
Sea Eagles skipper Darcy Cox got sinbinned in the 38th minute after mouthing off at the referee and the Panthers took quick advantage as Burns grabbed his second try. Luai couldn’t convert from the sideline and the score remained 36-6.
HALFTIME – Panthers 36-6
Liam Martin ran through a yawning gap only three minutes after the break and Luai's conversion put the Panthers further ahead, 42-6.
Ellis grabbed his second try in the 51st minute as the Manly winger Funa spilled a high ball in his own in-goal. Luai enjoyed the simple conversion to make it 48-6.
Burns popped up for his hat-trick in the middle of the field, steaming onto a short ball from Luai to crash over under the posts with 14 minutes to play. Luai's conversion made the score 54-6.
Two minutes later fullback Brown grabbed his second try after backing up as Corey Waddell streaked clean through the line. Another conversion and the Panthers led 60-6.
It was the final score of the game as errors undermined the last attacking opportunities for the Panthers.
FULLTIME - Panthers 60-6
