After an encouraging start for the Panthers, which took the Bathurst men out to a 16-8 lead, things took a turn for the worst in the final round fixture. 

Dragons piled on 22 unanswered points to seize the momentum in a horror run for the visitors either side of half-time – where Mudgee went into the sheds slim 18-16 leaders.

The result drops Panthers below cross-city rivals St Pat’s in the final standings, with the two Bathurst teams set to clash this coming weekend in a highly-anticipated qualifying semi-final.

Panthers president Dennis Comerford said the Dragons defence made the going tough for the men in black.

“The first half we dominated early before they got a couple of tries towards the back end of the half. Then in the second half they got a bit of a roll on,” he said. 

“We just found it difficult to get the ball forward. They really hurt us down the left edge in the first half. They probably picked up at least three of their tries there.” 

Comerford said the team had some bright moments in the defeat.

“Obviously we’ll work on defence, especially on the fringes, but I don’t think we have to do too much down the middle because our forward pack is really looking strong,” he said.

"One of the best things to come out of the game was that there were no injuries. We’ll be fully fit for next weekend.”

Panthers’ Jeremy Gordon and Dragons’ Rota Setu exchanged early unconverted tries for a 4-all scoreline.

Gordon’s second try of the day was quickly nullified by Mudgee’s Nathan Orr who got his side back within two points at 10-8.

When Panthers’ Blake Seager crossed for a converted try in the 35^th minute, little did his side know it would be another half-hour of game time until they would get on the board again.

Tries for the Dragons’ Setu, Jared Robinson plus a brace for Andrew Laurie put the Dragons back in control.

Panthers’ Jye Barrow and Dragons’ Christopher Ward exchanged tries late in the second half.

The result turns around a 28-16 win for the Panthers earlier this season.