Penrith's Class Prevails in Blacktown Win

The Panthers – who took their season record to nine wins, four losses, at the end of 16 rounds – proved too classy for the resilient Sea Eagles side, who to their credit, never surrendered the cause.

Penrith opened the scoring courtesy of back-rower Corey Wadell, who strolled over for the match's first points.

Blacktown's defence awry for the Wadell try, so too was it when Maika Sivo went in untouched to bag the Panthers second four-pointer.

Trailing 10-0 in the shadows of half-time, Blacktown found joy when prop Tof Sipley barged his way over from close range to lessen his side's deficit to just four.

At the change of ends, Penrith winger Ratu Tuisese bagged a quick-fire double to have the hosts out by 16.

Minus starting five-eighth Tom Wright – who, at half-time was called upon by Sea Eagles' NRL coach Trent Barrett to be Manly's 18th man – Blacktown mounted a mini-fightback.

Honeti Tuha found his way in for a try before Sipley completed his double, and the margin with five minutes to play was just six points.

But standing up when it mattered most, Adam Keighran iced the Panthers win with a late try, seeing Penrith to first place on the Intrust Super Premiership NSW standings.

PENRITH 26 (R Tuisese 2 C Waddell M Sivo A Keighran tries A Keighran 3 goals) bt BLACKTOWN 16 (T Sipley 2 H Tuha tries J Lussick V Mapesone goals)