It was the visiting Cowboys who played most of the rugby showing dominance in the set pieces that promised points but failed to deliver.
Lying in waiting the Panthers pounced with strong running Fereti Iona smashing through for the Panthers first try before putting up an impenetrable defence to keep the ever probing Cowboys at bay.
With the score 7-3 in favour of the Panthers at half time, supporters felt a Cowboys comeback on the cards but it was a more determined Panthers that stepped up the pace of the game to run away with the win 24-11 and top of the table finishers to head into the semi-finals as top of the single round competition.
The Panthers will face a rested Avatiu Eels in this Saturday’s semi-finals with the winner booking the first grand final spot and the loser earning one more life to contest this season’s club rugby title.
The Cowboys will be wanting to turn their top form into points on the board as it will be do-or-die rugby when they face the revived Takuvaine Reds in this weekend’s knockout match.
In the second game at the weekend, the Takuvaine Reds dashed the Titikaveka Bulls top four hopes in the five-club competition with a 42-17 and now eye up the Cowboys in the coming knock outs.