It was a game that everything; big hits, good tries, plenty of craft but it was ultimately the Brisbane Broncos that would hold off a fast-finishing Cronulla Sharks.
With plenty of stars on display, they all produced the goods for their sides as they went toe-to-toe, desperate to get their sides the win.
It was fullback Hayley Maddick who scored the first points as she found the gap, spun and outmuscled the Sharks defender to score.
Ellie Johnston would then score her fourth try of the season with a typical barge over try for a prop.
The Sharks would then hit the lead soon after when Jada Taylor took the line, split it with ease and motored away to score untouched.
The Broncos would not cave in, though, as Maddick turned provider, laying off a crisp short pass for Annetta Nu’uausala to crash over.
The game was crying out for a moment of magic before the half-time break and it was Gayle Broughton who provided it.
She found a gap, turned on the afterburners and raced away to the line to put the Broncos ahead at the break.
But the Broncos were not done yet; Broughton would turn provider with a lovely looping pass for Julia Robinson to score out wide.
The Sharks would then have the first try in the second half when Brooke Anderson’s grubber was well grounded by utility Sereana Naitokatoka.
It then took some magic from Destiny Brill to extend the Broncos lead once again as she outpaced several defenders with a nice run from close range before going over to score.
Some quick offloads and razzle dazzle kept the Sharks at bay and it ultimately led to more Broncos’ points when Broughton powered over for her second try.
Knowing they needed to fire and quickly, the Sharks did not give in.
Cassie Staples would score in the right corner to narrow the deficit somewhat.
Emma Tonegato, one of the game’s best, then matched Broughton’s earlier sensational solo run and try with one of her own from even further out, a 60m effort.
That would be as close as it got, however, as the Townsville locals were treated to a spectacle won by the Broncos 32-28.
Although proud of his team’s resolve at the back end of the game, Sharks coach Tony Herman wants his side to be a little bit smarter moving forward.
“But I am very proud of the girls who put themselves in that position to actually win the game, but we just need to be a bit smarter at the end,” Herman said.
His side may have produced the win and held on but Broncos coach Scott Prince lamented their inability to keep their lead and potentially run away with the game.
“It was certainly a finish that we didn’t want, we just spoke to the girls about that when you’re in that sort of lead, it’s really important to put the game away,” Prince said.
NRL News NRLW Player of the Game
3. Gayle Broughton (BRI)
2. Destiny Brill (BRI)
1. Annetta Nu’uausala (BRI)