In what was the first ever Under 18’s Origin clash, it was the New South Wales women that came out on top against Queensland.
Playing at North Sydney Oval, the curtain raiser to the women’s main Origin game saw New South Wales win 24-4 over Queensland.
Although the scoreline flattered New South Wales, it was Queensland with the early running and momentum.
Some steely resolve in defence, however, denied the Maroons any chance of scoring.
First points eventually came courtesy of an intercept when Teagan Berry plucked the ball out of the air, racing 95m to score.
Teagan Berry full field intercept – Under 18s Women’s State of Origin from r/nrl
As they looked to muscle up in defence, the Queensland side did so but it failed to produce any points.
Instead, it was Olivia Kernick who scored the second for New South Wales off a deft Caitlan Johnston kick.
Try as they might to get on the scoresheet before half-time, errors cost Queensland and it was the Blues who went into the break up 12-0.
Their own worst enemy in the second half, Queensland just failed to keep the Blues at bay and it proved costly.
Berry nabbed her second try, this one in the corner, and the sideline conversion was good to make the score 18-0.
Not a side to give up, a rushed New South Wales pass would produce first points for Queensland, courtesy of Courtney Tamati.
The error count continued to haunt the Maroons side, again failing to capitalise on good opportunities.
The match was sealed when Caitlan Johnston went down the left edge, shrugged off three defenders and scored near the posts.
The final scoreline would finish 24-4.
NSW 24 (Teagan Berry 2, Olivia Kernick, Caitlan Johnston; Emily Curtain 4) def. QLD 4 (Courtney Tamati).