NEW South Wales are one-up in the women’s Origin series – but they almost threw it away at the death.
Jesse Southwell’s 62nd minute field goal edged the Sly Blues to a 7-6 lead at McDonald Jones Stadium and in a thrilling finale, the busted Maroons were turned away as they hammered the NSW line.
However, faced with running down the clock deep in Maroons territory the dying seconds, the Sky Blues opted to give the ball some air and almost conceded an intercept.
Thankfully the pass did find its intended destination and Jessica Surgis posted her team’s second try as the bell was about to ring.
Earlier, Queensland lost prop Makenzie Weale to concussion in the opening seconds of the match.
Her replacement, Otesa Pule, proceeded to score the first try of the match in the second minute. Queensland eventually used their 18th player, Destiny Brill.
Prop Ellie Johnston brought the Sky Blues level with a try just after halftime and 6-6 was where it stayed until the field goal.
NEW SOUTH WALES 11 (Ellie Johnston, Jessica Sergis tries Jesse Southwell goal field goal) beat QUEENSLAND 6 (Otesa Pule try Lauren Brown goal) at McDonald Jones Stadium. Referee: Belinda Sharp.
