Queensland has recorded a historic Women’s State of Origin victory by beating New South Wales 24-18 at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Key points:
- It is Queensland’s first interstate victory since the fixture was branded as the Women’s State of Origin
- Maroons five-eighth Tarryn Aiken was awarded the Nellie Doherty Medal as player of the match
- Fullback Tamika Upton was outstanding for the home side with two tries
After the score was deadlocked at 6-6 at half-time, the Maroons got on top in the second term with a three-try passage helping set up the triumph.
The Blues did launch a late fightback but the Maroons had established enough of a buffer on the scoreboard to run out deserved winners.
It is the first time the Maroons have beaten the Blues since the interstate match was branded as the Women’s State of Origin in 2018.
They had last defeated their arch rivals in an interstate clash in 2014.
Maroons fullback Tamika Upton starred for the home side with two tries, while fellow Origin debutant and five-eighth Tarryn Aiken claimed the Nellie Doherty Medal as the player of the match.
The two sides scored four tries apiece, but goal kicking proved crucial with the Maroons’ Lauren Brown having a perfect night with the boot, while the Blues could only land one conversion.
Hosting the Women’s State of Origin for the first time, Queensland had entered the match as favourite, despite the fact New South Wales had won the previous two years.
The Blues enjoyed favourable field position during the early stages and they were perhaps unlucky not to cross out wide when star centre Isabelle Kelly threw a forward pass to her winger Shanice Parker close to the Maroons’ try line.
The visitors were made to pay for the missed opportunity as only minutes later Upton used her blistering pace to touch down for the opening try of the match.
Upton took a kick on the full on her 20-metre line and proceeded to slice her way through the Blues’ disorganised defence to find open space down the left edge.
Blues fullback Botille Vette-Welsh valiantly chased in cover defence but Upton stepped inside her opposite number to cross for a brilliant four-pointer.
Brown converted Upton’s try and the Maroons led 6-0 after 15 minutes of play.
The Maroons then blew some chances to build on their lead, while the Blues were able to capitalise on a deep entry into opposition territory when Blues captain Kezie Apps scored a try in the 24th minute.
Loading
Blues halfback Melanie Howard executed a neat grubber kick 20 metres out from the Maroons’ try line, placing Upton under considerable pressure as Apps chased through.
Apps timed her run to perfection and gathered the ball on the bounce, before busting Upton’s attempted tackle to crash over.
Howard then added the extras to level scores at 6-6, with neither side able to add to their total before the half-time break.
Maroons get on top
Upton added to her highlight reel eight minutes into the second term when she scored her second try.
The Maroons had the ball inside their own half when they attacked on the left edge, with Aiken breaking through the Blues’ defensive line via a clever dummy pass.
Aiken crossed the halfway line with only Vette-Welsh to beat but instead of chancing her arm she wisely found Upton in support on her right, with the Maroons number one streaking away unopposed to ice her double.
Brown kicked the conversion before the Maroons opened up a commanding 24-6 lead through converted tries to Aiken and Stephanie Hancock.
Not surprisingly, the Blues refused to give up and they gave themselves a chance of snatching victory at the death with tries to Tiana Penitani, Filomina Hanisi and Vette-Welsh.
Vette-Welsh’s effort came in the final minute of play and it closed the gap on the scoreboard to six points but it was too late for the Blues, who registered their first Origin loss.
The Blues had won the first Women’s State of Origin 16-10 in 2018 and backed up the victory last year by triumphing 14-4.
