Riding high after four consecutive wins to start their season the Jersey Flegg Sharks were brought back to earth with a thud, going down 50-10 to a rampant Panthers outfit.
In what was a reply of the 2018 Flegg Grand Final, won by the Sharks, the Panthers were dominant, running in nine tries to two in again stamping themselves as one of the genuine contenders for the under-20’s title this season.
The Sharks would hardly have seen what was coming when they scored first through half back Angus Ernst in the fourth minute to take a 4-0 lead but Penrith responded five minutes later and from that point the young Cronulla side couldn't stem the tide.
Five first half tries, the last coming on the stroke of half time, sent the Panthers to the break up by 28-4 and left the Sharks with plenty of work to do.
The Sharks did manage to score first in the second period, winger Josh Delailoa crossing in the south-eastern corner, with Jonaiah Lualua converting, giving some encouragement to the home team, but from there it was again all one way traffic.
Running hard and with the Sharks unable to stop the roll on and the repeated off-loads from their opponents, the Panthers would score four more tries, three of those converted in registering a convincing victory.
After four strong wins the result was a reminder to the Sharks that if they hope to retain the title won in 2018 that it will be hard earned.
The Flegg Sharks are next in action when they play the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday, April 28.
SHARKS 10
Josh Delailoa, Angus Ernst tries, Jonaiah Lualua goal
lost to
PANTHERS 50
