It was a result that many would have not have seen coming but it was richly deserved as the Canberra Raiders NRLW side defeated the Sydney Roosters.
The shock result was one that showed on any given day, a team can win, and it was the Raiders heart and resolve that got them the win.
It was leaders Simaima Taufa and Zahara Temara who ran the ship as the Raiders quickly raced out to an 18-0 lead.
The first try would come via Grace Kemp, who is still learning the game having transitioned from the Super Rugby W; as she barged over to score.
With just one try in the first half, the Raiders quickly extended their lead early in the second.
Apii Nicholls made the break on the left edge and found Cheyelle Robins-Reti on her outside for the Raiders second.
Talismanic forward Taufa would then be the one to score and lead from the front as she showed quick feet and nimbleness to score under the posts.
Up 18-0, the Raiders seemed in cruise control but the Roosters were not about to die wondering.
The Roosters first try came when Isabelle Kelly and Brydie Parker combined on the left edge with some quick hands, the winger scoring in the corner.
A Raiders error then saw Tarryn Aiken race 90m to score a runaway try.
It would then be Keeley Davis who scored her first try in the Tricolours as she burrowed her way over from dummy half.
With the Raiders lead cut to just four, they had to do something and the icing on the cake came via Monalisa Soliola.
She ran a lovely line to take a short pass from Ash Quinlan and did the rest, bustling her way over to score.
The upset – perhaps not the last we will see this tournament – shows that anything can happen.
Roosters coach John Strange did not hold back, lamenting his side’s poor performance post-game.
“We were well below average,” Strange said.
“We gained moment and got back into the game and then we just came up with simple errors.
“Not a good look for the women’s game unfortunately what we dished out today.”
Raiders coach Darren Borthwick was pleased the win but also with the fans in attendance who got to watch a game that was years in the making.
“What I am most proud of, and happy of, is the fans that turned up today for this historic moment we had over 8,000 fans that turned up to back the girls and that’s what this club is,” Borthwick said.
Canberra Raiders 24 (Kemp, Robins-Reti, Taufa, Soliola; Goals; Temara 4) def. Sydney Roosters 14 (Parker, Aiken, Davis; Goals: Kelleher 1).
NRL News NRLW Player of the Game
3. Simaima Taufa (CAN)
2. Grace Kemp (CAN)
1. Cheyelle Robins-Reti (CAN)