The Wentworthville Magpies have gone down to the Penrith Panthers in the wet and trying conditions at Panthers Stadium this afternoon in their season opener of the Canterbury Cup competition.
The Panthers put first points on the board through winger Malakai Watene-Zelezniak in the 6th minute of play. The winger diving over in the corner for a concerted try after some nice lead up work by fullback Caleb Aekins.
The Magpies struck back five minutes later when Bevan French set up winger Joshua Bergamin in the 13th minute with the try scorer finishing off the play in the corner. The conversion from the sideline was successful to level the scores.
Panthers centre Tyrone Phillips put the home side back in front when he stepped his way in the testing conditions to find his way towards the line.
The home side further extended their lead in the 26th minute when centre Jed Cartwright dragged in the defence before offloading to hooker Mitchell Kenny who burrowed his way over the try line for a converted try.
The Magpies looked to have struck back shortly after when hooker Brad Keighran split the defence and just had the fullback to beat, but as he passed to winger Greg Leleisiuao looming in support, the scrambling Panthers scrambled to hold the Magpies out.
Despite the Magpies best attacking efforts, the score remained 18-6 at half time.
The Panthers struck quickly in the second half to assert their control, with a short ball from Isaac Thompson putting new recruit Frank Winterstein over the line for a four pointer.
The Magpies tried hard in attack, but the home side defence held strong and repelled several waves of attack.
The Magpies crossed in the 77th minute when Bergamin linked up with centre Josh Minhinnick to cross over for a converted try out wide, but it was too little too late, as the home side secured a 22-12 victory.
Wentworthville Magpies 12 (Tries: Joshua Bergamin, Josh Minhinnick; Goals: Brad Keighran 2/2)
Def by
Penrith Panthers 22 (Tries: Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Tyrone Phillips, Mitchell Kenny, Frank Wintersterin; Goals: Jed Cartwright 3/4)
