Nail-biting finish in Women’s State of Origin in front of sell-out crowd sends the series to a decider
A field goal from Lauren Brown has sealed Queensland’s 11-10 defeat by NSW in the second State of Origin match, leveling the first three-match women’s series in tense circumstances.
The Sky Blues dominated most of Thursday night’s match at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium, which was played in pouring rain in front of a record crowd of 25,782 fans.
But after Tarryn Aiken crossed at five-eighth with a try that leveled the scores in the final ten minutes, Utility Brown stepped up to score a field goal from 25 yards out.
The final goal means the women’s first Origin match in three games will end with a decider at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville on June 27.
The huge crowd turnout broke the sport’s previous spectator record, which stood at 25,492 in game one.
Channel Nine commentators were amazed by Queensland’s play.
“What a moment, with all the pressure of the world on her shoulders, she allows it,” said Allana Ferguson.
Phil Gould said: “Origin continues to work wonders.
‘Can you believe it? They haven’t looked like winners all evening. That’s not a field goal, that’s a miracle. They have gritted and gritted their teeth and never give up.
“Their Queensland spirit shines through.”
