The Panthers defeated the Drivers 28 to 14 in the regular-season opener on Thursday night. The match took place on 27 August 2026 at 23:00 local time. It was a straightforward affair from start to finish, with the visitors establishing control early and never looking back.
The Panthers scored first and quickly built a lead that proved insurmountable. The Drivers struggled to find any rhythm in their offensive possessions, while the Panthers' defence held firm when needed most. By then the pattern was clear — this was going to be a one-sided contest.
The final margin of 14 points tells the story without embellishment. The Panthers showed better execution across both sides of the ball, while the Drivers could not string together a coherent drive. And here's the thing about opening games — they set the tone for what follows.
The Drivers will need to regroup quickly. They finished with just 14 points, which is well below their usual output. The Panthers, meanwhile, look dangerous with their balanced attack and disciplined defence.
This result means the Panthers start the season on the right foot. The Drivers now face a rebuilding task if they want to compete at the level expected of them. The table will shift accordingly after this weekend's other results.