Withers toasts Bulls win

Report: Bulls 22-4 Panthers

Michael Withers savoured the "sweet" taste of victory after Bradford beat his hometown club Penrith in the World Club Challenge.

The Australian full-back was in outstanding form as the Bulls triumphed 22-4 over the NRL champions at the McAlpine Stadium.

Withers played all his junior rugby at Penrith before moving on to Balmain.

"It is very sweet," he said. "This is very special for me. I always wanted to play for Penrith."

Withers, who missed most of last season through injury, added: "Penrith are a great team who won the toughest competition in the world.

"But it was a great display from us from one to 17. Even the boys who have now left the club that were with us last year - it was down to them too.

It was a high-intensity 'bashathon' Bulls coach Brian Noble

"I didn't play much last year but I want to put that behind me and look forward to the rest of this year."

The Bulls added the world title to their Super League and Challenge Cup crowns on the back of an almost faultless display.

Tries from Lesley Vainikolo, Leon Pryce and Logan Swann saw them open up a big lead in the first half.

But it took great defensive resilience after the break to keep out the Panthers, and then Rob Parker wrapped up the win with a late try.

The Bulls can look forward with confidence to the opening of their Super League defence against Wigan next week.

Coach Brian Noble said: "We knew we were in for a tough game. It was a high-intensity 'bashathon'.

We were just beaten by the better side on the night Penrith coach John Lang

"Our preparations revolved around starting the season well, and we wanted to win it.

"We defended pretty well at times. After last year one of our targets was to improve our defending, but I thought there were 17 outstanding players tonight."

Despite all their second half endeavour, the Panthers could muster just one try from Luke Rooney - and coach John Lang admitted the best side had won.

"At half-time we knew we had to score more in the second half - but we never got going," he said.

"I've had a feeling for a while that British rugby league is on the march and I think tonight showed that.

"We could not have prepared any better for this game. We were just beaten by the better side on the night."