The Whales appeared in a less forgiving mood than last week.
Tim Kerr scored in the first 30 seconds and Kaylin Dayal adding a second after Hitaua Doyle, promoted forward, ran through the Panthers' defence.
Kerr completed his double within the first 15 minutes but soon after a bit of sloppy play at the back from the Whales allowed the Panthers to force a penalty corner, which Sean Mackie converted.
This appeared to shake the Blues back into action. Jarrod Casey completed a wonderful team goal where nearly all of the field players had a touch as they broke down the Panthers' defence.
Harrison Taylor bagged a goal for the Panthers just before halftime to go into oranges at 4-2.
The Panthers would have been the happier of two sides walking off, as that strike kept them in the hunt for the points.
In the second half, the Panthers started to tire and their movement started to fall away. The Whales capitalised on this and Jarrod Casey added a second. Jamie Pollock, Henry Will, Kieran O'Connor and Timmy Matthews all scored, as well.
Sean Mackie and Sam Sharp were busy at the back for the Panthers, while Kerr, Doyle and Pollock were involved in everything for the Whales.
In the other premier games, Kings United beat Taieri 3-2 with a goal in the final seconds and Albany Alligators comfortably defeated Southland 4-0.
-By Matthew West
