The Panthers Women shared the spoils with South Sydney Rabbitohs as their home debut ended in a 22-22 draw on Sunday.
After kicking off their inaugural NSW Women's Premiership season with an impressive away win over Central Coast Roosters, the Panthers hosted their first match at home ground BEST Hub in Round 2.
The Panthers recovered from a poor start to skip ahead 22-4, but the Rabbitohs rallied in the second half to draw level. Panthers halfback Claudia Bush came close to a match-winning field goal, but neither side was able to break the deadlock.
All four Panthers tries came in a 13-minute blitz, with Jacinta Tui, Natalia Webb, Kahu Cassidy and Harmony Covacich all crossing the stripe.
Meanwhile, four players celebrated their senior Panthers debuts: Dejah Tuliau, Chelsea Blankenstein, Jade Elford and Mahinaarangi Rewi.
The Rabbitohs capitalised on an early Panthers error to open the scoring, before Penrith sprung to life with four tries in the space of 13 minutes.
Local junior Jacinta Tui struck first, latching onto a cut-out pass by Jade Elford to touch down in the corner for 4-4.
Natalia Webb was next to score when she tore through the Rabbitohs sliding defensive line with a burst of pace.
Captain Kahu Cassidy took matters into her own hands to extend the Panthers lead, brushing past three defenders in a powerful charge to the try line.
Riding a wave of momentum, the Panthers quickly returned to attacking territory where Harmony Covacich rampaged her way to four points.
With Claudia Bush landing three conversions, the Panthers took a 22-4 lead into the break.
Half-time would only serve to halt the Panthers momentum, however, and allow South Sydney to regather for a big second stanza.
The Rabbitohs scored three converted tries in succession after half-time, levelling the scores at 22-22.
The Panthers pushed to recapture their lead with several assaults on the South Sydney defence, but were unable to find a way through.
Claudia Bush snapped a late field goal attempt, but her shot fell short and South Sydney held on for a draw.
Despite a deflating result, the Panthers remain unbeaten in their inaugural NSW Women's Premiership campaign. Karen Stuart's team sit in fourth place ahead of their Round 3 clash with Cronulla on Saturday 19 July at Sharks Stadium.
FULL-TIME: Panthers 22 drew Rabbitohs 22
Tries: Jacinta Tui (7'), Natalia Webb (10'), Kahu Cassidy (13'), Harmony Covacich (20')
Goals: Claudia Bush (3/4)
Line-Up: 1. Brooke Wilkins, 2. Jacinta Tui, 3. Dejah Tuliau, 4. Natalia Webb, 5. Chelsea Blankenstein, 6. Jade Elford, 7. Claudia Bush, 8. Danica Talitonu, 9. Emily Eden, 10. Oriana Epati, 11. Abbie Grant, 12. Harmony Covacich, 13. Kahu Cassidy (c)
Bench: 14. Mahinaarangi Rewi, 15. Jae Patu, 16. Loreen Luamanuvae, 17. Naomi De Bruine, 18. Matilda Vella
