NSW Coach Kylie Hilder could not have asked for a better start, as the Blues’ deficiency in football was not a factor as they attempted to spread the ball early and capitalized on the size and speed of the opposition, with Emma Tonegato breaking through following a strong run from Caitlan Johnston to score the first goal of the game.
Jaime Chapman was all speed and class as the visitors got off to a fast start. NSW moved the ball quickly to the right, and Chapman slipped around the Maroons defense, sped past the QLD defense, and beat Tamika Upton to score NSW’s second goal, giving the visitors a 12-0 lead.
Soon after, Rachael Pearson extended the Blues lead with a penalty goal.
resulted in a fairly surprising 14-0 lead that they carried into halftime.
Aside from a second penalty goal by Rachael Pearson that gave the Blues a 16-0 advantage, the team continued where they left off in the first half to begin the second half.
After that, QLD appeared to gain momentum in the latter stages of the match, even though the Blues appeared nearly certain to score when Tiana Penitani had the corner open to her and Julia Robinson made a last-ditch effort to stop her.
With momentum building for the home team, the Maroons finally broke through when Tamika Upton got herself to the line for a goal. At 16-6, Zahara Temara’s conversion brought the home team within ten points.
With all the momentum, Queensland tried to make another comeback, but New South Wales held them off and scored a match-winning touchdown in the last five minutes when Caitlan Johnston surged over.
for a 22–6 advantage.
In the last seconds, a kick nutmegged Jaime Chapman and Emily Bass, giving the Maroons a response before Zahara Temara’s attempt to convert flew over the crossbar.
The Blues’ victory gives them a significant advantage ahead of their home-court Game 2 in Newcastle in three weeks.
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