Errors and missed opportunities dominated the contest as the ISP Panthers suffered a 14-4 defeat to the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.
Ill-discipline cost the Panthers dearly with poor handling stifling their attack and numerous penalties allowing the Bulldogs to build pressure on their defence.
The home side opened the scoring fortuitously in the 10th minute through skipper Tyrone Phillips. A cross-field kick from Lachlan Lewis was spilled in a mid-air contest and fell invitingly for Phillips to plant it down just shy of the dead ball line, before a successful conversion from Chase Standley made it 6-0.
Lewis turned from provider to scorer in the 17th minute after a crafty run from Josh Cleeland to double their lead. The five-eighth found space in the Panthers line and darted through before linking with his halves partner to put him over close to the line. Stanley added his second conversion to make it 12-0, which they would maintain in to half-time.
HALF-TIME: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 12 – 0 Penrith Panthers
The Panthers continued to shoot themselves in the foot following the break with an error-riddled performance harming their chances of a comeback.
Another penalty on the hour mark would gift the Bulldogs an extra two points from the boot of Zac Woolford and stretch their lead to 14 points.
Winger Christian Crichton gave the Panthers a glimmer of hope in the 63rd minute when he burst through two tackles and raced 80 metres to score his side’s first points. Darren Nicholls' attempted conversion was waved away as the score remained 14-4.
However, the home side would hold the Panthers out for the remainder of the game and clinch a comfortable ten-point win.
FULL-TIME: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 14 - 4 Penrith Panthers
