Queensland has emerged victorious in the Women’s State of Origin shield, triumphing in a thrilling series finale in Townsville. The Maroons’ initial eight-point win in Origin I put pressure on the Blues, who needed to win by at least nine points to retain the title. Although NSW showed great resilience and managed to come back from a first-half deficit to win game two 18-14, their efforts were not enough to overcome the deficit from game one.
Queensland appeared to be on track for a series sweep until chaos ensued in the 68th minute, resulting in Yasmin Clydsdale being awarded a game-winning penalty try by the Bunker. Initially, the Blues’ try was denied as the referee believed Clydsdale had fumbled the ball, but the Bunker confirmed that Queensland’s Shenae Ciesolka kicked the ball out of the Blues No.12’s hands. A penalty try was given, and Jesse Southwell successfully converted, setting the stage for a thrilling finish where Queensland had to fight hard to defend their lead.
Maroons skipper Ali Brigginshaw admitted, “We didn’t know what was going on. I just said, ‘We’ve got to show Queenslander spirit, get our shoulder to shoulder, work for each other and just put our bodies on the line’.” This spirit paid off, and Queensland emerged as the series winner, with Brigginshaw expressing immense pride in every player who wore the Maroon jersey.
Surprisingly, the penalty try was not the final dramatic moment in the game. Clydsdale found herself caught in a hip-drop tackle by the Blues, resulting in a penalty and one last opportunity for NSW to steal the shield. However, the Blues’ Hail Mary attempt fell short, and the Maroons breathed a sigh of relief as they claimed the title.
Tiana Penitani made a grand return for NSW, scoring two of the team’s three tries, while Tamika Upton, Emily Bass, and Tarryn Aiken secured points for the Maroons. The game was filled with excitement and showcased the intensity of the State of Origin rivalry.
For more breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, remember to subscribe to our newsletter! Don’t miss the live and exclusive coverage of the 2023 State of Origin series on Channel 9 and 9Now. Browse through our gallery to relive all the colorful moments from State of Origin II 2023 between the Blues and Maroons.
Denial of responsibility! SamacharCentrl is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
