SOME heroic defence allowed NSW to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the women’s State of Origin series at Suncorp Stadium.
Jesse Southwell’s try-saver was one of the best seen at any level this year as the Sky while Tegan Berry denied Queensland a try right on fulltime which was initially awarded on the field.
Replays showed Jasmine Peters went into touch in Berry’s tackle.
The Sky Blues took an early 8-0 lead via tries to Jaime Chapman in the seventh minute and Keely Nizza in the 22nd.
Coming off the bench after being named in the starting side, Rory Owen snuck over from dummy half just before the break leaving NSW with an 8-6 halftime lead.
The Maroons started the second half full of running and were eventually rewarded with the lead.
Jada Ferguson crossed in the 43rd minute but the Sky Blues responded quickly.
Jess Sergis posted a try in the right corner and Jesse Southwell converted magnificently from the sideline.
Game three is on May 28 at CBUS Super Stadium.
NEW SOUTH WALES 14 (Chapman Nizza Sergis tries Southwell goal) beat QUEENSLAND 10 (Owen Ferguson Peters tries Brown goal) at Suncorp Stadium.
Teams:
QUEENSLAND: Tamika Upton (c); Julia Robinson, Rory Owen, Ivan Lolesio, Jasmin Peters; Chantay, Lauren Brown; Otesa Pule, Destiny Brill, Jessika Elliston, Romy Teitzel, Keilee Joseph. Res: Jada Ferguson, Makenzie Weale, Brianna Clark, Emma Manzelmann, Shenai Ciesiolka.
NSW: Abbi Church; Jaime Chapman, Jessica Sergis, Isabelle Kelly (c), Jaymie Fressard; Joycelyn Kelleher, Jesse Southwell; Millie Elliott, Olivia Higgins, Ellie Johnston, Kezie Apps, Yasmin Meakes, Olivia Kernick. Res: Keely Nizza, Kennedy Cherrington, Rima Butler, Teagan Berry, Corban Baxter.
Referee: Belinda Sharpe
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
