LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Panthers faced a disappointing 30-12 defeat at the hands of the Dolphins, with their efforts falling short against a strong defensive display from the opposition.
The game started off on a positive note for the Panthers as they forced an error from kick-off, but it was the Dolphins who took the lead with a try from Herbie Farnworth finding Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in support.
Despite Nathan Cleary's efforts to level the scores with a well-placed kick for Casey McLean to score, the Dolphins dominated the rest of the first half.
Tabuai-Fidow scored his second try of the night, combining with Jake Averillo on the right edge.
The Panthers struggled to match the Dolphins' intensity and were unable to mount a comeback, with the Dolphins extending their lead and sealing the victory.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary acknowledged the team's shortcomings, stating, "We just couldn't get the game going tonight.
We made too many errors and gave away too many penalties, which allowed the Dolphins to take control of the game." Despite the loss, Cleary remained optimistic about the team's potential, adding, "We'll learn from this defeat and come back stronger in the next game."
Although the Panthers made a promising start, their momentum faltered against a formidable Dolphins side that capitalized on their opportunities.
The team's inability to match the Dolphins' execution and defensive efforts led to their downfall, resulting in a disappointing loss.
The Panthers will need to regroup and focus on improving their performance in order to bounce back from this defeat.As the team looks to learn from this experience and make adjustments for future games, coach Cleary emphasized the importance of addressing their mistakes and building on their strengths to achieve better results.