The Bulldogs were forced to defend a low score of 195 and did it with a steely resolve to win by 26 runs.

"It was an extremely good effort," Bulldogs president Jeff Russ said.

"They fielded well, were patient with their bowling and disciplined with their lines while mixing it up occasionally.

"It was a great performance."

The Panthers were odds-on favourites to claim victory on their home deck.

The go-slow Bulldogs showed determination with the bat on day one, but noone believed a score under 200 would trouble the home side, particularly after they went to stumps on 1-34.

The Panthers cruised to 1-61 until Bulldogs opening bowler Brad Robertson produced one of his best performances in the first XI with 4-45 off 22 overs.

'Robbo' is the epitome of patience at the kennel. The youngster had to bide his time to become a fully fledged top-tier bowler and even then his position in the side appeared shaky due to nagging back injuries and a lack of wickets.

"He had a slow start to his career," Russ said.

"He had a few injuries and it took seven or eight games to get his first wicket in the ones. You've got to be patient in Premier Cricket because not many kids come into the firsts and are an instant success. You learn the trade through perseverence."

Robertson has not missed a first XI match this summer. That validates his worth to the Bulldogs as a strike bowler and tells you about the belief he's starting to show in the health of his body.

"He's now got confidence in his body and is really letting the ball go," Russ said. "He's only going to improve."

Robertson turned the tide of the innings in the Bulldogs' favour with two vital middle-order wickets when the Panthers seemed settled.

He worked beautifully alongside a host of other bowlers who were equally content to bowl a nagging line and force the Panthers into rash shots.