It was a successful day on the Northern Beaches for the Panthers, claiming three wins from as many games in the Junior Reps.
Tarsha Gale Panthers record first win of their season
The Tarsha Gale Panthers put on their best attacking performance of the season to crush the Sea Eagles 34-16 at 4 Pines Park on Saturday morning.
Montana Mclean and Taya Lazare were everywhere in attack, while Montana Clifford continued to forge her reputation as a devastating defender.
In the 3rd minute, the Panthers found space with a beautiful right-side shift, the backline showing some slick ball skills to put Kirby Maslin over in the corner. Conversion unsuccessful, 0-4.
In the 10th minute, Sea Eagles centre Taleenza Nelson broke the line, sprinting 50 metres before being dragged down in a valiant try saving effort by both fullback Yasmine Baker and try scorer Kirby Maslin.
Two plays later, prop Tafao Asaua took advantage of the scattered Penrith defence, crashing over under the posts to level the scores. Conversion successful, 6-4.
In the 13th minute, Montana Mclean exploded out of dummy half, burning the markers before selling a beautiful dummy that gave her just enough space to reach out and score the Panthers second try of the morning. Conversion successful, 6-10.
The Panthers then absorbed a mountain of pressure as they were stuck defending their own try line for well over 10 minutes. Twice the Sea Eagles crossed the white line but were held up by a resilient defensive outfit that refused to give up.
In the dying minutes of the first half, all their defensive efforts were rewarded as Taya Lazare scooted out of dummy half to crash over and score, putting the Panthers up 14-6 as the teams went into the sheds.
HALF-TIME: PANTHERS 14 - SEA EAGLES 6
Early in the second half, centre Bella McEarchern showed what she could do with some good ball, beating her defender to score a fantastic solo try. Conversion successful, 6-20.
The Panthers were on the attack once again in the 39th minute, this time a beautiful short ball from Taya Lazare to a charging Jemimah Tagaloamatua was too much for the Manly team to handle. Conversion successful, 6-26.
In the 42nd minute, Piper Spackman broke away down the right-hand touchline, stepping off her right foot and palming off the fullback to add to the Panthers growing score. Conversion unsuccessful, 6-30.
The Sea Eagles hit back in the 47th minute when a late offload allowed Chelsea Smyth to go through a gap and score her team’s second try. Conversion unsuccessful, 10-30.
The Panthers took little time to re-extend their lead- in the 50th minute the ball went through the hands and found Piper Spackman once again. It was a case of déjà vu as she stepped off her trusty right foot to beat the last defender and score her second try of the day. Conversion unsuccessful, 10-34.
In the final two minutes, Manly turned pressure into points as a quick play the ball allowed Maraea Toia to exploit the retreating defensive line, crashing over for the last try of the match. Conversion successful, 16-34.
FULL-TIME: PANTHERS 34 - SEA EAGLES 16
Harold Matthews Panthers hold on to edge out Sea Eagles
The Harrold Matthews Panthers absorbed a ton of last-minute pressure to beat the fast-finishing Sea Eagles 24-18 on Saturday afternoon at 4 Pines Park.
The team worked well together in both attack and defence to notch up their 3rd win of the season and cement their place in the Top 8.
In the 13th minute of the game, Manly fullback Reilly Caswell shimmied his way through the Panthers defence and ran 50 metres before being dragged down in an outstanding try saver by Jhett Sydir.
However, the pressure was too much for the Panthers, and George Mapuilesua eventually muscled his way over to score the first try of the afternoon. Conversion unsuccessful, 4-0.
The Panthers would go on to have a number of attacking opportunities go begging as the Sea Eagles somehow managed to keep them scoreless well into the first half.
Finally, in the 25th minute, a long ball to Cameron Bamblett gave him time and space and he took full advantage, beating two defenders to fight his way to the line. Conversion unsuccessful, 4-4.
With one minute left in the half, the Panthers were given a fresh set in the attacking zone. A well-worked backline move that involved a number of decoy runners gave Jacob Kelly just enough space to step off his left foot and score in the left-hand corner. Conversion unsuccessful, 4-8.
HALF-TIME: PANTHERS 8 - SEA EAGLES 4
In the 35th minute, the Sea Eagles capitalised on a mountain of possession, Simione Laiafi dragging a number of defenders with him as he stormed over the line. Conversion successful, 10-8.
The Panthers reclaimed the lead in the 39th minute when Heinz Lemoto steamed onto a short ball and split the defence with a beautiful line. Conversion by Jacob Kelly successful, 10-14.
Hokafonu Lemoto continued his fine form as a rampaging front rower, proving too big and too strong for the Manly defence as he crashed over next to the posts in the 43rd minute. Conversion successful, 10-20.
A good shift to the left-hand side allowed Cameron Bamblett to find open pasture in the 50th minute. He stepped off his left foot to beat the last defender and score his second try of the day. Conversion unsuccessful, 10-24.
The Sea Eagles got one try back in the 53rd minute as Finnlay Bartlett found his way through the Panthers defence. Conversion unsuccessful, 14-24.
The home team would come within one converted try of the Panthers, scoring another well-worked try on the hooter, but it was the visitors that came away with the two points as they secured their third win of the season.
FULL-TIME: PANTHERS 24 - SEA EAGLES 18
SG Ball Panthers stage thrilling comeback to steal win
The SG Ball Panthers have overcome a 14-point deficit to win 30-20 against the Manly Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park.
The team’s defence left much to be desired in the first half but a flurry of late tries meant they were able to continue their perfect start to the 2023 season.
Manly opened the scoring in the 9th minute when winger Maxwell Taotua broke away down the right-hand side and used his size to crash over the last defender. Conversion unsuccessful, 4-0.
In the 12th minute, the home team extended their lead as Koby Douglas charged onto a ball from dummy half and powered his way to the line. Conversion unsuccessful, 8-0.
Manly once again capitalised on some poor defence by the Panthers when Broden Konz beat three defenders with a combination of footwork and strength to score a try in the 20th minute. Tylor Bunting added the extras, 14-0.
Panthers prop Luron Patea got his side back into the game in the 23rd minute, as he muscled his way over the white stripe through pure grit and determination. Conversion by Riley Pollard successful, 14-6.
A sin-bin to Poutoa Hotere-Papalii did not help the Panthers cause as the Sea Eagles continued to pile on pressure. Hooker Jake Fulton burrowed underneath a tired defence to score the home team’s fourth try of the afternoon. Conversion successful, 20-6.
HALF-TIME: PANTHERS 6 - SEA EAGLES 20
The Panthers tightened the margin in the 39th minute with a nice left-hand shift. Winger Nick Murphy flashed down the sideline before putting the Manly fullback on skates and diving over without a hand laid on him. Conversion successful, 20-12.
A nice cut-out ball found David Afu in the 47th minute, as the winger cut back across the grain and barged his way over to take the Panthers within one try of the home team. Conversion unsuccessful, 20-16.
The Panthers finally found their rhythm late in the second half, charging up the field before Luron Patea scored his second try of the afternoon in a similar fashion to the first. Conversion unsuccessful, 20-20.
In the 64th minute, a string of beautiful late passes gave David Afu enough room to move in the corner as he dove over to secure his own double. Conversion unsuccessful, 20-24.
With the clock winding now, Poutoa Hotere-Papalii made sure to redeem his earlier sinbinning by scooping up a wayward pass and racing 70 metres to score under the posts and seal the game for the Panthers. Conversion successful, 20-30.
Despite a disappointing start to the game, the SG Ball Panthers did enough in the second half to ensure their record remains unblemished in 2023.
FULL-TIME: PANTHERS 30 - SEA EAGLES 20
