The Penrith Panthers have opened their Knock On Effect NSW Cup campaign in style, crushing Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles 24-4 at BlueBet Stadium on Saturday.
With a number of young faces running onto BlueBet Stadium eager to impress it was the Panthers who were first to trouble the scorers.
After Blacktown thwarted an attacking raid, halfback Kurt Falls challenged the line from the scrum, muscling his way over with three Sea Eagles on his back to open the scoring in the 16th minute.
Falls converted his four-pointer, giving Penrith a 6-0 advantage.
As Blacktown looked to get on the board execution let them down with an off-target pass from Jake Toby going into touch.
Falls had a hand in setting up the Panthers second try, finding space in the line before combining with Robert Jennings who raced away untouched.
Falls kick bounced off the upright, with the Panthers holding a ten-point advantage.
HALF-TIME: PANTHERS 10 - SEA EAGLES 0
Panthers hooker Soni Luke took advantage of a repeat set, crossing the line early in the second half. Falls slotted the conversion from close range, taking the lead to 16.
Turuva’s injected himself into the game in the 53rd minute, breaking a tackle and offloading to Jennings before regaining possession of the ball.
In what would be the play of the day, the young fullback dodged and weaved his way through a number of Blacktown defenders before grounding the ball.
Itching to get on the scoreboard, Eiden Ackland flicked a cut-out ball to second rower Andrew Davey who crossed in the corner as the clock struck the 58th minute. With the conversion attempt waved away the Panthers took a 20-4 lead into the final period of the game.
Quick to respond, Jenkins stepped inside his man close to the line and extended the margin to 20. An uncharacteristic off day for Falls with the boot saw his conversion attempt fall short.
The Panthers continued to throw plenty at the Sea Eagles defence without adding more points in the final minutes of the game.
FULL-TIME: PANTHERS 24 - SEA EAGLES 4
