Women’s State of Origin Game I live score
FULL TIME: NSW Blues 32 def. Queensland Maroons 12
NSW have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match Women’s State of Origin series, with a comprehensive 32-12 win at Lang Park.
In front of the record crowd of 26,022, the Blues kept the Maroons scoreless in the second half to take the win.
It now means the Blues have won both Women’s Origin matches played at Lang Park, after triumphing in Game I at Magic Round last year.
But the Maroons came back to win the series last year, and will need to with two consecutive matches again to retain the shield.
65′ TRY: Abbie Church seals the game for NSW
NSW fullback Abbie Church has scored the sixth try for the Blues.
It is another Queensland mistake which has gifted the Blues an attacking raid close to the line.
Prop Elle Johnston carried four Maroons over the line, but was held up.
The Blues again went to the left, clearly targeting Queensland’s makeshift right edge defence.
Church gets the ball, puts a lovely sidestep on Romy Teitzel, and despite being tackled, momentum gets her to the line.
This game is over.
Record crowd of 26,022 for Women’s Origin
25,782 flocked to Hunter Stadium for game two last year, which was the previous record attendance for a Women’s State of Origin match.
But Lang Park has broken that figure tonight, on the start of this four-day Rugby League festival which includes Magic Round in Brisbane.
25,492 fans attended game one at Lang Park last year, so the Queensland crowd continues to get behind the scheduling format.
This year is the second best of-three Women’s Origin series and the second year where the series has been launched on the Thursday night, ahead of the three-day football feast at the venue.
56′ PENALTY GOAL: NSW extends its lead to 14 points
Two more points have been added to the NSW total, with halfback Jesse Southwell converting from in front.
The Maroons, again defending on their goal line, were called offside after forcing a mistake from the Blues.
Kicking the goal from in front was a no-brainer.
NSW leads 26-12 with 14 minutes to play.
52′ TRY: Another debutant scores for NSW
NSW prop Ellie Johnston have muscled her way over to score for the Blues.
NSW has a 12-point lead, and they deserve it.
They have been on top of Queensland in this second half, and the scoreline reflects it.
The Maroons were their own worst enemy, conceding a forward pass from dummy-half to give NSW the ball 30 metres from the line.
Ellie Johnston took a crash ball, and three Maroons tried to bring her down.
The Queensland players went around the body, no one tackled the legs, and Johnston carried them over the line.
50′ NSW on top, looking for the knock-out blow
NSW has a six-point lead, and they are on top at the moment.
When the Blues have the ball, they are making metres for fun.
The Maroons are starting to look tired, but they are hanging on in defence.
42′ TRY: NSW take advantge of Maroons’ mistake
NSW debutant Jayme Fressard has a double, and NSW extend their lead.
Maroons centre Rory Owens dropped the ball 20 metres from her line, and put the Queenslanders under pressure.
NSW again implemented a simple, yet effective game plan in attack.
Strike up the middle, suck in the Queensland defenders, and then spin the ball wide.
The Blues went close with a big charge up the middle, and there were seven Maroons hovering around the play the ball.
NSW spun the ball out to the wing where Queenslander Jasmine Peters was defending, and targeted the makeshift defensive line.
Fressard went in untouched.
Despite scoring four tries, to Queensland’s two, the Blues only have an 18-12 lead, with three conversions missed.
Qld winger Jasmine Peters fails HIA
The Maroons will be without one of their debutants for the rest of the match, with Peters ruled out of the rest of the match due to a category 1 – HIA.
Peters came off just before halftime after a clash with Blues interchange forward Sarah Togatuki.
It’s forced a backline reshuffle for the Maroons with Shenae Ciesiolka now on the right wing and Romy Teitzel moving across to centre, from the second-row.
36′ NSW starts with a mistake
Queensland have kicked off to start the second half, and they will get the ball back just 20 meters out.
Poor Sarah Togatuki, NSW interchange, has mucked up the play-the-ball.
Queensland made an error in the opening set of the first half, and NSW made them pay.
This time, with Queensland on the attack, NSW is able to hold on.
Strong goal line defence forces Tamika Upton to send her grubber kick over the deadball line.
A thrilling second half awaits
Enjoying this game guys. Great attacking plays and great defence.
– KB
G’day KB.
The first half was beauty — hopefully the second half is more of the same.
HT: NSW Blues 14 leading Qld Maroons 12
A gripping first half of the opening Women’s State of Origin has come to an end.
NSW has scored three tries to the two from Queensland.
The Blues have taken a 14-12 lead at halftime at Lang Park.
There will be plenty to talk about in the dressing rooms.
The eye gouge allegation will be a story that will simmer for the rest of the night.
Upton loses clump of hair
Tiana Penitani reaches out to grab the Queensland fullback who nearly breaks through the NSW line.
But Penitani managed to pull a chunk of Upton’s ponytail perhaps saving what could have been a try.
Penalty Qld on the stroke of halftime.
25′ TRY: Maroons strike back
Maroons centre Rory Owen scores on debut.
Queensland capitalise on a soft penalty after the Blues interfered with the ruck, and Tarryn Aiken has orchestrated another try for the hosts.
The Queensland five-eighth laid out a great ball for Owen to barge through the Blues’ line and peg back the margin.
20′ TRY: Blues on fire with a third try
Debutant Jayme Fressard has scored and the Blues are ripping the Queensland defence to shreds.
Another ruck infringement penalty gave NSW a piggyback down the field, and it led to a goal-line drop-out.
With another full set at the Maroons’ goal line, NSW implemented the same tactic — bash Queensland in the middle of the field, suck in defenders, then spin the ball to the win.
NSW go left and some terrific passing, including a final pass from Isabelle Kelly, who was falling as she delivered the ball.
NSW player makes formal complaint about eye gouge
NSW Blues hooker Keeley Davis has made a formal complaint to ref Belinda Sharpe about an allege eye gouge.
It appears the allegation has come after Davis took a hit up, prior to that previous try.
She was tackled by Maroons try-scorer Sienna Lofipo and then signalled towards her face immediately before taking the quick tap.
Shortly after Davis appeared to be touching her eye and looking in some discomfort.
15′ TRY: NSW retake the lead
The Blues have punished the Maroons for a penalty late in a tackle count, and it has ended with centre Isabelle Kelly scoring for NSW.
The Blues were handed a penalty on halfway for a ruck infringement, and a quick tap has the Maroons on the backfoot.
After punching through the middle of the defence, NSW spun the ball to the left, where there was plenty of space.
Kelly crossed in the left corner.
8′ TRY: Queensland strike back off a Blues error
The Maroons are on the board, as Sienna Lofipo collects a ricochet and scores.
A high bomb was put up from Maroons five-eight Tarryn Aiken, and NSW fullback Abbie Church does not look comfortable.
The Blues’ fullback didn’t jump, while Maroons winger Julia Robinson leapt high, knocked the ball back, and Lofipo collected the ball and scored.
5′ TRY: Blues score first in Origin I
The Blues have made their early attacking raid count with a try to centre Jessica Sergis.
After recovering Queensland’s short kick-off, the Blues had around 10 consecutive tackles at the Maroons’ line, with two six-again restarts called by ref Belina Sharpe.
The pressure sucked Queensland defenders into the middle, opening space on the right for Sergis to score.
Listen to the live call of Game I online
While you’re on the blog, be sure to listen to ABC Sport’s live call of the match.
You can listen online at ABC Sport or via the ABC Listen app.
