Kaiviti Silktails vs Penrith Panthers
Date: Saturday, 2nd August 2025
Venue: Panthers Center of Excellence
Halftime Score: Penrith Panthers 26 – 0 Kaiviti Silktails
Fulltime Score: Penrith Panthers 50 – 0 Kaiviti Silktails
First Half: Panthers Dominate Early
The Penrith Panthers asserted their dominance early in the match, scoring consistently throughout the first half. Harry Armstrong opened the scoring just 2 minutes in, followed by tries from Zach Lamont (10’), Bayden Moran (14’), and Tuaomaliemavaitoelau Patea (19’), giving the Panthers a 26-0 lead by halftime. Tylor Bunting capped off the first half with a try in the closing moments (39’). Despite this offensive display, the Panthers struggled with conversions, managing only 3 out of 6 attempts.
Second Half: Panthers Continue the Onslaught
Unfortunately for the Kaiviti Silktails, the second half continued in much the same vein. Hunter Bell increased the Panthers’ tally with a try just after the break (45’), followed by scores from Zakauri Clarke (52’, 72%) and Sialetili Faeamani (66%) as well as Jirah Liddiard (71’) and another from Zach Lamont (79’). Clarke successfully converted two more tries, bringing his total to 4 conversions from 8 attempts. The Silktails were unable to convert any of their scoring opportunities, finishing the match with 0 conversions.
Player Unavailability and Injury Updates
The Kaiviti Silktails faced a formidable challenge with 16 players unavailable for selection on Saturday. Additionally, 19-year-old back rower Isoa Lakepa was carried from the field with a knee injury, and the club is awaiting further scans to determine the extent of his condition. There is also nervous anticipation regarding fellow 19-year-old back rower Vilisisari Bainivalu, who was placed on report for a shoulder charge during the match. Furthermore, Alipate Qoro has been placed on report for a crusher tackle.
Coach’s Comments
“It was a tough day for us on the field, and I am disappointed with today’s loss,” said head coach Timoci Duve. “We faced a very strong challenge from the Panthers, and we simply did not measure up to the level of intensity they brought to the game. The most disappointing part was leaking four tries and 24 points in the last play; we worked hard to defend up until that point, but we struggled to handle the pressure when it mattered most. I want to commend our young players, many of whom were stepping up in difficult circumstances. This experience is invaluable for their development, and while we have areas to improve, there were moments that showed great promise. We need to work on maintaining consistency throughout the entire match.”
Summary
The Kaiviti Silktails were overwhelmed by a dominant Penrith Panthers side, suffering a tough 50-0 defeat. With a severely depleted roster, the young and developing Silktails showcased glimpses of potential but ultimately fell short against a well-drilled opponent. Looking ahead, the coaching staff will focus on instilling resilience and consistency in the team as they continue their journey through the season.
As the Silktails prepare for their final away game of the season against the Tigers next week, they aim to build on the valuable lessons learned from this challenging match and finish the season strong.
