Panthers outclass Bulldogs to advance in NRL finals

Penrith Panthers unleashed a dazzling second half to end the Canterbury Bulldogs’ National Rugby League season with a 28-12 victory to march on in the finals series yesterday.

The young Panthers stormed home with a 24-point second half after trailing the Bulldogs 6-4 at half-time to set up an enthralling semi-final with the Raiders in Canberra on Saturday.

Last season’s grand finalists Brisbane Broncos will face defending champions North Queensland Cowboys in the other semi-final in Townsville on Friday. Penrith finished full of running to outscore the Bulldogs five tries to two with skipper and roving fullback Matt Moylan their outstanding performer.

While the Panthers were celebrating their stylish win the Bulldogs join the Gold Coast Titans as the first teams eliminated from this season’s eight-team play-offs.

Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks are one game away from playing in the grand final after gripping victories on Saturday.

The Storm, who finished top of the regular season standings, ground out a 16-10 win over the Cowboys in Melbourne and will have next week of the finals off along with Cronulla.

In Saturday’s other qualifying final, the Sharks fought back from 12-0 down to clinch a 16-14 victory over the Raiders in Canberra with James Maloney kicking the winning penalty goal five minutes from time.

The Broncos knocked out the Titans 4428 in Brisbane on Friday. It was part revenge for the Storm, who were beaten in last season’s preliminary final by the Cowboys at home.

Melbourne’s fast-moving defence kept the Cowboys in check, while their Fijian winger Suliasi Vunivalu collected his 23rd try of the season.

New Zealand Test prop Jesse Bromwich barrelled over to stretch Storm’s lead to 14-6 before the Cowboys Test ace Johnathan Thurston set up winger Kyle Feldt’s try in the corner with a superb catch and pass.

But Cameron Smith made the game safe for the Storm with a late penalty goal. Maloney kept alive dreams of a maiden premiership title for Cronulla when he broke a 14-14 deadlock in the final minutes.

It was a brave effort from the Sharks, who had influential captain Paul Gallen ruled out on game day with a back injury and also lost State of Origin second-rower Wade Graham early in the game with an injury.

The Sharks fell behind to two converted tries but held the home side to just two points for the final hour to take the match. —AFP