Penrith have turned out their worst performance in many years, racking up 15 errors and completing just 68% of their sets, to go down to a similarly poor Manly side 18-10 at home this afternoon.
The very first set produced a knock on by Manly on the second tackle, which set the tone for the first half for both sides. After 5 minutes, Maloney added a penalty goal.
After 8 minutes, there had been 5 knock-ons and a penalty. After Crichton fumbles a Cherry-Evans kick. From the ensuing set Manly sent the ball left to Thompson who checked his line, stepped infield and forced his way over for a strong solo try. Cherry Evans converted.
The following 20 minutes was more of the same, both sides turning the ball over cheaply with knock-ons and silly penalties.
With 6 minutes left in the half, Penrith crossed for a good try when Watene-Zelezniak received an inside ball close to the line and he barged over for a strong try. Maloney converted to give his side the lead at halftime.
Any hopes that the halftime break would see the sides improve their ball handling were dissipated in the very first hit up when Fisher Harris spilled the ball in the first run after the break.
From the following set, Tom Trbojevic sent a magnificent pass to Wright, who dived and scored a miraculous try in the corner, injuring his shoulder in the process. Hodkinson failed to convert from touch.
Six minutes later and Manly went to the right side through Walker, who almost created a chance, before going to the ground with a nasty looking knee injury. He had to be carried from the field.
Just inside the hour mark, Penrith received a penalty close to the Manly line and Maloney slotted the goal to level the scores again.
In the 64th minute, Nathan Cleary was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes after interfering with Cherry Evans run for a kicked ball into the Panthers in goal. Hodkinson kicked the penalty goal to give his side a 12-10 lead.
Just four minutes later Hodkinson ran onto a magnificent low offload by Jake Trbojevic close to the line and scores a good try. He then converted to give Manly an 8 point lead, which Penrith were unable to reel in.
Next week Manly enjoy a bye while Penrith host the Warriors.