Senior Pathways Wrap Round 17: Dogs Downed by Panthers

A long-range line-break down the eastern touchline from winger Nick Murphy enabled the Panthers to shift across the field with Jack Cole’s cut-out pass to Harrison Hassett creating a two-on-one situation for winger Asu Kepaoa to cross in the north-west corner and extend the lead to 10-nil.

Strong runs from David Fale, Laurie and Murphy put the Panthers in a strong attacking position deep inside the Bulldogs' 20 and they converted their opportunity into more points when a quick play-the-ball enabled Cole and Luke Sommerton combine to put prop Matt Eisenhuth over underneath the posts for a 16-nil lead.

The Panthers then made it consecutive tries off consecutive sets when a dart from Sommerton at dummy-half from 45 metres out, put Laurie away for his second try of the evening to give the home side a commanding 22-nil lead.

It was fitting that another line-break from Murphy deep into Bulldogs territory was finished off by him a few plays later after the ball shifted right with Alamoti providing the last pass for the try. Alamoti converted from the touchline, stunning the Bulldogs with a 28-nil lead just before half-time.

Some concerted pressure into the Panthers 20 finally paid dividends for the Bulldogs when winger Blake Wilson produced a determined angled run to score from close range to finally open the visitors’ account at 28-6.

However, any remote chance of a Bulldogs comeback was put to bed when Kepaoa finished off a backline movement to the left to score his second try from close range in the southeast corner to extend the lead to 32-6.

Having withstood a mountain of pressure inside their own 20, the Panthers finished off proceeding in style with a Eisenhuth offload on halfway putting Sommerton away before he found Schneider backing up in support to score out wide and seal the result 36-6 on the stroke of full time. 

Talking Points

The Panthers (5) enjoy a 14-8 record over the Bulldogs (7) although the Bulldogs won their two previous clashes 30-12 in 2024 and 34-18 earlier this year.
Penrith fielded possibly their strongest side of the season to date with Laurie, Alamoti, Kepaoa, Cole, Schneider, Eisenhuth, Sommerton, Riki and Geyer featuring in the run on side and recent NRL debutant Harrison Hassett named on the bench.
Plenty of experience in the Bulldogs side too with the likes of Blake Taaffe, Blake Wilson, Enari Tuala, Sam Hughes and Kurtis Morrin featuring.
The win was soured somewhat by second half injuries to lock forward Billy Phillips (leg) and fullback Daine Laurie (head cut).

Key Moment

The Panthers got off to a solid start leading 10-nil but their back-to-back converted tries to Eisenhuth and Laurie from consecutive sets midway gave the home side a commanding 22-0 lead which they would never relinquish.

What's Next?

The Bulldogs travel to Newcastle on Saturday to take on the Knights while the Panthers return to Parker St Reserve next Friday night when they take on the rejuvenated South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Jersey Flegg Cup: Bulldogs 26 def by Panthers 42, Silktails 14 def by Storm 36

It was a tough Friday night for the Bulldogs and Silktails, with both sides comprehensively defeated by the Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm respectively. 

The Bulldogs, facing the Panthers at Parker Street Reserve, enjoyed a solid first half which saw Maroons Under 19s front rower Oliver Smith cross twice, along with Bailey Myers, to set up a 16-12 lead.

However, the home side stole momentum with two quick fire tries after returning from the sheds, and while Cassius Tia touched down to close the gap, three more tries to the Panthers stole the result despite a four-pointer to Patrick Young in the dying stages.

Meanwhile the Silktails were unable to stop the Storm, despite a strong start to the contest.

While the visitors crossed just two minutes in, the Silktails struck back via Asalusi Nagicu, and with a penalty goal nearly two minutes later, the side led 8-4 with half an hour gone.

Unfortunately it was the Storm crossing twice before the break for an eight-point lead, which then became eighteen midway through the second stanza - until Andrea Ramabuke gave the side a glimmer of hope with a 60th minute touchdown. 

However, a further two tries to Melbourne sealed the result at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka, claiming the contest 36-14. 

Next Saturday in Round 18, the Silktails head to Auckland to face the Warriors, while the Bulldogs travel to Newcastle to face the Knights.

Ron Massey Cup: Bulldogs 14 def by Brothers 24

A gallant effort wasn't enough for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in Round 13 of the Ron Massey Cup, defeated 24-14 by Brothers on Saturday at Parker Street Reserve.

The Blue and Whites shot out of the blocks with a try in the second minute to fullback Latrell Fing, but three tries to the home side saw the Bulldogs with a 14-point deficit at the break.

Brothers extended upon resumption, and while halves pairing Ragarive Wavik and Mac Puafisi both crossed in the second stanza, it wasn't enough to close the gap and claim the two competition points.

In Round 14, the Bulldogs will enjoy the bye before hosting Blacktown Workers at Hammondville Oval on July 12.