A fine captain's performance from talented Manly lock Nicholas Lenaz was not enough to life the Sea Eagles to victory against Penrith in round 20 of the Jersey Flegg Cup.
The inspirational skipper scored two tries and had a try assist in Manly's 36-24 loss to Penrith at St Marys Stadium on Saturday.
Lenaz, who joined the Sea Eagles from Parramatta this season, is in his final year of Jersey Flegg and has been one of Manly's best players.
Penrith centre Angelis Hotere-Papalii crossed for a hat-trick of tries in the win after the Panthers dominated the first half to lead 24-6 at the break.
The Panthers took a 6-0 lead after 10 minutes after half-back Blake Moore produced a freakish kick back inside for full-back Jaxen Edgar to catch on full to score under the posts.
Three minutes later, powerful second-rower Francis Manuleleua pushed off two defenders to race downfield to offload to centre Angelis Hotere-Papalii to score for a 12-0 lead after 14 minutes.
Manly opened their account when hard running centre Alton Naiyep carried three defenders over off a nice pass from half-back Travis May from a scrum win for a 12-6 scoreline after 21 minutes.
Penrith jumped to an 18-6 lead nine minutes later when Hotere-Papalii crossed for his second after a smart play down the left side.
The home side took a 24-6 lead into half-time after a dummy from Moore saw Hotere-Papalii race 50 metres to score in the corner in the 34th minute.
A superb one handed offload from prop Simione Laiafi, who recently made the Australian Schoolboys open's team, saw Manly lock and captain Nicholas Lenaz score out wide for a 24-12 scoreline four minutes after half-time.
Penrith then scored two tries in 11 minutes through wingers Tim Carson and Poutoa Hotere-Papalii for a 36-12 lead after 54 minutes.
Some fancy hands from full-back Blake Metcalfe and Naiyep saw second-rower Broden Konz hit a gap to send Lenaz on a 45 metre run to the line for his second try to make it 36-18 after 61 minutes.
Lenaz then delivered a perfect cut out pass for prop Kylan Mafoa to crash over for a 36-24 scoreline with seven to go with the Panthers holding on to claim victory.
The Sea Eagles have a bye next weekend.
Penrith 36 (Angelis Hotere-Papalii 3, Jaxen Edgar, Tim Carson, Poutoa Hotere-Papalii tries; Zack Lamont 2, Jett Cleary 4 goals) d Manly 24 (Nicholas Lenaz 2, Alton Naiyep, Kylan Mafoa tries; Kallum Weatherall-Stacey 4 goals).
