One side was undefeated, the other hadn't notched a win but it was far from clear-cut as the Bulldogs stood tall on a night where they paid tribute to the late, great Steve Folkes.
The fast-starting Bulldogs held off a late Penrith challenge but the comeback kings of the NRL couldn't manage it for a third straight week as the Bulldogs snare two vital competition points.
Penrith will also spend the week fretting over the health of star halfback Nathan Cleary who went off with a possible MCL strain at half-time.