A late try to Penrith winger David Simmons earned the Panthers a 10-10 draw with Parramatta in a wet western Sydney NRL trial clash on Saturday.
The Eels looked set for victory at Centrebet Stadium before a nice cross-field kick from Penrith halfback Tom Humble sat up out wide for Simmons to score in the corner with just under three minutes on the clock.
It was a vastly improved effort from Ricky Stuart’s Parramatta, who were thumped 41-4 by Wests Tigers last week.
Halfback Chris Sandow was instrumental for Parramatta in his 60-minute effort, setting up both of the Eels’ tries which came in the first half.
Sandow produced a bomb in the eighth minute with Jarryd Hayne climbing above the pack to score.
And the former Rabbitohs No.7 was at it again soon after when he sparked a sweeping backline move for Eels winger Cheyse Blair to score in the corner after a run-around move by Sandow.
Penrith opened their account on 21 minutes through Wes Naiqama who scored an intercept try before converting his four-pointer.
The derby match was a spirited one with young Eels back-rower Matt Ryan sinbinned early in the second half for repeated infringements.
The game also had a punch up with NSW State of Origin prop Tim Grant from Penrith and Parramatta’s club captain and former Blues front-rower Tim Mannah exchanging blows in front of a crowd just over 4000.