Match Details
Match Date	3rd Sep, 2006
Opponent	Penrith
Result	Win 30-22
Coach	Steven Folkes
Captain	Andrew Ryan
Venue	Penrith Park (CUA Stadium)
Crowd	13,363
Referee	Tony Archer

The Bulldogs have spoiled Penrith coach John Lang's farewell, snapping a two-game losing streak with a 30-22 victory at CUA Stadium.

Both sides scored five tries apiece, but the difference was the boot of Bulldogs sharpshooter Hazem El Masri, who potted five goals from as many attempts in blustery conditions.

For Lang, who coached the Panthers to the 2003 title, it was the 323rd and possibly last match in a distinguished coaching career which also included a four-year stint with Cronulla.

The former Kangaroos hooker, named the Dally M coach of the year in 1995 and 1999, is without a job next season and is yet to confirm whether he'll again take on the clipboard in the future.

The Bulldogs paid a heavy price for sending the opening kick-off out on the full, with Tony Puletua crossing the tryline in just the second minute.

The Panthers captain crashed over after some quick hands from fellow forwards Frank Pritchard and Luke Priddis.

The Bulldogs responded with a converted try seven minutes later to former Parramatta forward Chris Armit, who crashed through three tackles on a bullocking 10-metre charge to the line.

The Panthers scored back-to-back tries - Gordon pounced on a Rhys Wesser grubber for the first and then utility Paul Aiton finished off a superb team effort - to give the home side a 12-6 advantage.

But Bulldogs fullback Luke Patten scored a soft try at the half-hour mark, with Hasem El Masri's boot levelling the scores, where they remained until the halftime break.

Patten crossed for another soft try just after the break, but it was cancelled out by an absolute gem from Rhys Wesser. The Panthers custodian finished off a long-range movement to score his 102nd try, breaking the club record jointly held by Greg Alexander and Ryan Girdler.

Former Test backrower Trent Waterhouse's four-pointer momentarily gave the Panthers the lead, but tries to Matt Utai and then Dallas McIlwain handed the advantage back to the visitors.

The second try was a contentious one, with referee Tony Archer seemingly missing an offside play from the Bulldogs moments earlier which would have given the Panthers a shot at goal to level the scores.

Source: AAP

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