The Panthers Jersey Flegg side were given some valuable lessons in a 28-16 trial game defeat against Sydney Roosters at Panthers Stadium on Saturday.
The two sides were level at halftime but the Roosters were more clinical executing their attacking opportunities after the break.
An early opportunity went begging for the Panthers as winger Ethan McPherson stepped on the sideline while diving for the corner.
However it was the Roosters who opened the scoring in the 7th minute as centre Adam Pompey shook off some would-be tacklers and crashed over. The attempted conversion was waved away but the visitors led 4-0.
The Panthers hit back in the 16th minute as a short ball put backrower Alexander Myles in enough of a gap to reach out and score. Meni Luke’s conversion attempt sailed wide and left the game locked up at 4-4.
Penrith’s defence went missing five minutes later as Roosters backrower Jackson Frei strolled through the line with barely a hand laid on him. A successful conversion from William Russell put the Roosters ahead 10-4.
Two minutes before halftime Panthers backrower Ben Cartwright tucked the ball under his arm and muscled over to score under the black dot. Isaac Thompson knocked the conversion over to draw the Panthers level.
HALFTIME – Panthers 10 – 10 Roosters
The Roosters struck within two minutes of the restart, as Miller Leilua used his size to power over the tryline. Ethan O’Neil converted to give the Roosters a 16-10 lead.
In the 43rd minute the visitors extended their advantage in spectacular style. An in-goal grubber was athletically tapped backwards for backrower Fletcher Baker to touch down. The conversion from out wide saw Roosters ahead 22-10.
Three minutes later the Roosters scored again as Panthers fullback Daine Laurie fumbled a grubber kick. Justin Lane gratefully accepted the try and the simple conversion put the Roosters ahead 28-10.
The Panthers finally gained some attacking possession with 14 minutes left in the contest and centre Zac Ryan crashed over from close range. Toby Westcott's successful conversion gave the Panthers a sniff at 28-16.
However that was to be the last of the points scored as the Roosters defensive line held firm to close out the victory.
FULLTIME - Panthers 16 - 28 Roosters
