The Sharks have beaten the Dragons 16-12 in a historic NRL womens nines match

IT was almost like any other local derby between Cronulla and St George Illawarra. Tough, gritty and down to the wire. Except this one was historic.

Alicia-Kate Hawke of the Dragons is tackled during the Sharks v Dragons womens nines match. pic Mark Evans

IT was almost like any other local derby between Cronulla and St George Illawarra. Tough, gritty and down to the wire.

Except this one was historic as the two arch rivals battled in the first NRL women’s nines game with the Sharks scoring in the dying seconds to come from behind and win 16-12.

The Dragons looked to had secured a shock victory until an early tackle kick by Allana Ferguson found Cronulla vice-captain Samantha Bremner who scooped up the ball and race away under the post just before the siren blew at Southern Cross Group Stadium.

“For three sets we noticed they didn’t have a fullback,” Bremner said. “But we couldn’t keep control of the ball. It is what happens in nines that the fullback isn’t there. We didn’t have much left so we had to make it happen.

Erin Blackwell of the Dragons tackled by Allana Ferguson of the Sharks. pic Mark Evans

“I saw the ball bounce up high then it slowed down and I thought I need to speed up here and get it on the next bounce. I could hear footsteps behind me.”

Jade Etherden scored the first try for Cronulla with the Sharks taking a 10-8 lead. The Dragons scored the first try of the second half through a grubber and regather by Talia Atfield to take a two-point lead.

Atfield and Kezie Apps were the Dragons best.

Cronulla players had featured in a golden point club semi-final earlier in the day.

“We are pretty tired,” Bremner said. “We don’t get many opportunities to run in front of a packed stadium., we are using playing out at fields in whoop whoop. I know the girls used it as motivation. I hope it keeps getting bigger and bigger.”

The NSW Rugby League last week announced a game first nine a side under-18s competition to run for nine weeks next year.