Queensland were bashed and belted for all but 90 seconds, but still prevailed

A clutch field goal from Lauren Brown has sealed Queensland’s unlikely 11-10 defeat of NSW in the second State of Origin match and sent the inaugural women’s three-game series to a decider in Townsville.

The Sky Blues dominated Thursday night’s clash in front of a record crowd of 25,782 fans in the pouring rain at Newcastle but, in a repeat of game one, let the Maroons back into the contest with 15 minutes to go.

NSW coach Kylie Hilder said the wet track didn’t suit her team.

“It’s a tough one. Really tough conditions out there, really tough game. Obviously, there’s a lot of disappointment in the sheds at the moment,” she said.

“They are pretty upset, pretty disappointed. I thought the game was there for us to take in several different stages. It didn’t happen, that’s footy. In hindsight, it’s great for the first series to go to a decider up in Townsville...this team is definitely suited to a drier track, I think the conditions really allowed Queensland to bring Queensland back into the game.”

Hilder identified the final 15 minutes as the danger zone in a pre-match press conference on Wednesday, and said that would be a major area of focus for game three.

Lauren Brown’s miracle moment.Credit: Getty

“I think the frustrating thing for me as a coach is we were so domiannt probably for the majority of that game, and then we just allow Queensland to get back in on top,” Hilder said.

“Lauren Brown, her being on the field I knew that’s what they were setting up [field goal], I could see it for plays beforehand, and she’s just so good at that kicking and nailing that field goal.”

The Sky Blues led the contest for 54 minutes before Shenae Ciesolka scored the first points for the Maroons.

Queensland five-eighth Tarryn Aiken scythed through with nine minutes to play, bamboozling the Blues’ game-one player of the match Yasmin Clydsdale, and Queensland were on their way to levelling the scores against the odds.

At 10-10, star NSW prop Caitlan Johnston turned possession over in the final minutes carting the ball out of the Sky Blues’ half, allowing the Maroons to position themselves for a game-winning shot.

Veteran utility Brown stepped up and nailed her strike from 25 metres out, keeping the series alive with a stunning shot for field goal.

Queensland coach Tahnee Norris said it would go down as one of the epic Origin finishes.

“That’s true Origin football. It’s so good for our game to play a game of footy like that for the crowd and for how well these girls just know what it takes to be a Queenslander and win games like that. I’m so proud of them,” Norris said.

Norris described Brown as the ultimate utility.

“Got to love the fact she can kick a footy. She was amazing tonight. Not only in her kicking game, but the way she played in her hooking role tonight, she was next level, I’m really happy for her to produce a game like that and to win a game like that through a field goal. It’s insane.”

With AAP

NSW get one last play. They throw everything at them. Penitani with space down the left. They swing back left.

Queensland scramble and there’s a knock-on. Maroons win. That’s one of the gutsiest wins you’ll ever see. Never looked like winning. Until they did. Incredible.

Sky Blues 10 Maroons 11

And now, the arm wrestle. Sound, wet weather football from both sides and Queensland now finishing stronger. Both sides kicking low and into the corner and then Caitlan Johnston gearing up for a big run… spills it. That’s tough.

Queensland with a real chance with less than three minutes. And Lauren Brown, she’s nailed a field goal. Defenders bearing down, into the breeze, in an absolute quagmire, that’s a hell of a play. Ninety seconds left.

Sky Blues 10 Maroons 11

And Tarryn Aiken drags it straight back. That’s what we’ve been waiting for. A tiring defence and she takes advantage at first receiver. Slipping across a flat footed defence, dummying to inside runners once, twice, thrice and then finds Yasmin Clydesdale.

Takes her on, breezes past on the outside and Lauren Brown nails the conversion.

We’re all tied up in Newcastle with seven minutes to play. Golden point anyone?

Sky Blues 10 Maroons 10

Jess Sergis. Stop it. It’s a pet play and she’s one of the best in the game. But still. Stop it. She’s stolen the ball one-on-one from Julia Robinson to send NSW on the attack.

And straight away Corban Baxter, with great vision and excellent execution, sends a cut-out ball skimming across to Tiana Penitani, who dives over in the corner.

Pearson falls on her backside trying to convert from the sideline but the Sky Blues edge their lead back out to six. Queensland with a short kick-off to regain possession straight away though.

Sky Blues 10 Maroons 4

Queensland, just try and keep them down. Classic stuff from the banana benders and Shenae Ciesiolka is in on the left edge. Ali Brigginshaw pulling the string in that one, pumping a cut out ball across the face of Isabelle Kelly as she’s dragged in and out of position.

A tough kick in the wind and rain for Lauren Brown and it swings away. NSW lead by two with 14 minutes left.

Sky Blues 6 Maroons 4