on Saturday.

Both teams are already in trouble at this early stage of the season, with the Storm (2-5) sitting in third-last place and the Panthers (1-6) in last place after six rounds of the competition.

A win in this game was crucial to both teams, as they both fought to stay out of the cellar, but also gave the winner early bragging rights in western Sydney in the youth league ranks.

The Storm were promoted into first division this season, for the first time in their history, and have shown mixed form to date.

The team has scored big totals (70's/80's) in some games, then inexplicably scored miserly totals (40's) in others, as they attempt to establish themselves at the higher level of competition.

Saturday afternoon's game was tight early, with the score locked at 24-24 at the first break before the Storm pounced to lead 46-36 at half time.

That lead blew out to 68-50 at the final break in play, before the Panthers unleashed a strong finish to put the game in some doubt.

The Storm had shaky legs in the dying stages but their margin was simply too big for the Panthers to reel in and they held on for a nervous six point win.

The Panthers State League team won the second game of the night, defeating the Springwood Scorchers 88-71.

Youth League: Blacktown Storm 83 (Daniel Garland 23 points, Mark De Riviere 18, Goch Kot 11) def Penrith Panthers 77 (Emlyn Dodd 29 points, Curtis Sardi 16, Erikas Datenis 10, Sebastian Zakrewski 10)

State League: Penrith Panthers 88 Josh Morehead 18 points, Ben Hawkesley 16, Steve Gavrilovic 12, Robert Crane 10) def Springwood Scorchers 71 (Jason McBride 14 points, Adrian Qumivutia 12, Keith Browning 11, Josh Stevenson 10)