THEY fielded arguably the most expensive NSW Cup team in history with two internationals but it was not enough for Penrith to overcome Newcastle on Saturday night.

Matt Moylan and Peta Hiku featured alongside Waqa Blake after they were dropped by coach Anthony Griffin for breaking a team curfew last weekend in Melbourne.

While their NRL side lost by a point against South Sydney on Friday night without the trio, their NSW Cup team did not do any better losing 26-20 despite the big-name inclusions, against a Newcastle side which had only won twice this season.

media_camera The star-studded Panthers side went down.

About 1500 people watched on at St Marys Leagues Stadium. For Moylan, it was a far cry from the sold-out crowds which witnessed his debut State of Origin series for NSW.

There were a couple of diehards on the hill waving their Panthers flags to support a team which also featured established NRL player Mitch Rein and young tyro Viliame Kikau.

Griffin was among the spectators, along with NRL stars Dallin Watene-Zelenke and Dean Whare, but the demoted trio did not speak after the game due to a media ban imposed by the Panthers. They are expected to be recalled for Penrith’s NRL game against Cronulla next Sunday.

Moyan, who also made his Test debut last year, was busy for Penrith while Hiku scored a late try.

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Moylan laid on one try, and should have set up another had back-rower Jack Hetherington not spilt the ball over the try line.

The Panthers NRL skipper spent plenty of time at first receiver — and interchanged between fullback and the halves — while wooing the crowd with some neat passes. He did the bulk of the kicking in general play for his side.

Hiku and centre partner Blake had limited chances, with Blake looking menacing when he drifted infield.

Hiku scored the only second-half points for the Panthers after the scores were locked at 16-16 at the break.