It was a sunny afternoon at North Sydney Oval as the Magpies took on the Panthers in the opening match of the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup’s Saturday triple-header, as part of the annual Beer, Footy and Food Festival.
The Western Suburbs Magpies conceded three early tries, giving the Panthers a 16-0 lead to open proceedings.
The Magpies dug in, with Tino Tavana producing an impressive intercept inside his own 20-metre line. He pinned his ears back, surged into the opposition half, and linked up with Jack Attard in traffic, who crossed under the posts. The try was converted by Javon Andrews, bringing the score to 16-6 and the Magpies back into contention.
With the ball moving through the Magpies backline, Javon Andrews created space for Logan Brookes on the left edge to score the visitors second – narrowing the margin to 16-10 as the first half wound down.
However, a converted Panthers try right on the stroke of half-time sent Penrith into the sheds ahead 22-10.
An early second-half try pushed the game further out of reach, though the Magpies continued to compete strongly. Jack Attard produced an impressive effort in defence, stopping a full-field run by the Panthers and holding up the runner over the line in a display of individual brilliance.
A 73rd-minute try on the right edge from Solomone Saukuru, powering through the Panthers defence, gave a late glimmer of hope. But with the Magpies reduced to 12 men in the closing stages, the Panthers finished with a 28-14 victory.
