Queensland continued their dominance over New South Wales in the Interstate Women’s Rugby League Challenge today with a 34-10 victory at Penrith extending their winning streak to 14 successive years.
The Blues were very competitive in the first half with a late Queensland try by Natalie Dwyer just before half-time giving the Maroons a handy 16-10 lead at the break at McGrath Foundation Stadium (renamed from Centrebet Stadium for the Harvey Norman Women in League Round).
Queensland captain Karyn Murphy said she was very proud of the way her team “dug in and the defensive effort in the second half to hold NSW scoreless”.
Queensland have been unbeaten since the inception of the Interstate Challenge format in 1999. NSW last beat Queensland in 1998.
“It’s a record we are very proud of and we don’t want it to end,” said Murphy.
“Natalie’s crucial try at half-time was a big turning point … it gave us a big lift going into the break.
“We would have been a bit more nervous coming out in the second half if not for that try.”
Player of the Match was awarded to Queensland prop Heather Ballinger, but there were a number of stand-outs including four-try hero Bianca Ambrum.
Queensland 34 defeated
Tries: Bianca Ambrum 4, Natalie Dwyer 2, Amber Saltner, Karyn Murphy
Goals: Amber Saltner 1 from 1; Natalie Dwyer 0 from 7
New South Wales 10
Tries: Tarah Westen, Samantha Hammond
Goals: Maddison Studdon 1 from 2
Venue: McGrath Foundation Stadium, Penrith
Half-time: Queensland 16 lead NSW 10
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