LeagueNews.co | Robbie Hamilton
The Penrith Panthers have taken a significant stride towards securing their third minor premiership in the past four years, following a commanding 24-12 victory over the Manly Sea Eagles on Thursday night.
The defending champions are currently riding a remarkable seven-game winning streak as they approach their upcoming matches against the Titans, Eels, and Cowboys, solidifying their dominance throughout the season.
Despite an early scare with a Josh Schuster intercept, it was Stephen Crichton who turned the tables in the eighth minute, sprinting an impressive 70 meters to score the game's opening try.
In the 19th minute, a well-executed kick from Daly Cherry-Evans granted Manly a repeat set, leading to Toafofoa Sipley crashing over from close range to level the scores at 6-6.
However, the Sea Eagles managed to take the lead in the 27th minute, as Cherry-Evans cleverly ran the ball on the last tackle, creating an opportunity for Reuben Garrick to score from close range, resulting in a 12-6 lead after the fullback's successful conversion.
With just five minutes remaining in the first half, Panthers skipper Isaah Yeo displayed his exceptional ball-playing skills by setting up Moses Leota with a clear path towards the Manly goal line.
Unfortunately, Leota failed to secure the pass, resulting in a missed opportunity for the Panthers.