Group 10: Bathurst Panthers run clear in second half to claim win over Mudgee Dragons

The Dragons donned their retro jerseys amid the return of Jeremy Gordon that was expected to give Panthers a boost in Saturday's Group 10 premier league clash at Mudgee.

Well, the centre gave it a boost worthy of a rocket ship as he provided two of the tries in the Panthers' 32-18 success while the man to his left, Desi Doolan, scored a hat-trick.

Doolan, Gordon and five-eighth Joey Bugg scored all seven of the Panthers' tries between them to complete a barnstorming performance from the Bathurst side's left edge.

Both clubs went try for try across the opening half but Panthers slowly pulled away from the home side as they continually put the Dragons' right-side defence under pressure.

Panthers manager Danny Dwyer said the team looked in control from the outset, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

"It was close early on but I felt that we were playing so much better than what we were a week earlier against St Pat's. Our attack, with Jeremy Gordon back, alongside Desi Doolan was great

"They helped us get things back closer to how we looked a the start of the year. It was very encouraging and probably one of their best performances of the season."

Panthers were coming into the game off a 28-all draw with the Saints and were not thrilled by the way they applied themselves in the derby.

Saturday's trip to Glen Willow Stadium gave the Panthers many more reasons to feel confident ahead of finals football - whenever that may be.

A spot inside the top two was realistically secure for the Panthers before the game but now the Bathurst squad can't be knocked out of the top two with a round to spare, ensuring a home semi-final.

"It was a very fast game. A couple of the boys commented on how quick it was over the first 20 to 25 minutes and Mudgee came out strong. We knew they'd be tough to beat it home, and it was their old boys day there as well," Dwyer said.

"That home semi-final was good motivation for the guys and takes some pressure off them for the game against Orange Hawks. With the way the points were we were likely to get in anyway but it was nice to come away with the win."