Women’s State of Origin: Queensland finally break NSW stranglehold as Tamika Upton proves inspirational

Led by captain Ali Brigginshaw and try-scoring machine Tamika Upton, the Maroons have knocked off NSW.

Blues centre Isabelle Kelly is crunched in a tackle at Sunshine Coast Stadium Picture: Getty Images

After four years of misery, Queensland have finally claimed the women’s State of Origin.

In front of a vocal, sold-out crowd at Sunshine Coast Stadium, the Maroons pulled off a second-half surge to defeat NSW 24-18.

There was nothing haunting about this Friday the 13th performance.

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It was brutal. It was fast. And it was exciting.

The women held nothing back in what was Queensland’s highest score and first win under the new women’s State of Origin banner.

The Blues had won the previous two women Origin clashes, and the past four interstate clashes, but a fresh-faced Queensland side filled with seven debutants secured a courageous victory.

Led by inspirational captain Ali Brigginshaw and try-scoring machine Tamika Upton, Queensland took advantage of a tiring Blues defence late in the game.

The Maroons scored three unanswered tries in the space of 14 minutes just after the break to all-but seal the game.

The Blues hit back late with three unconverted tries of their own but it wasn’t enough to steal the win away from the Maroons.

ON THE UPTON

Tamika Upton is a special kind of player.

The leading NRLW tryscorer caused havoc to the opposition defensive line and secured her place as Queensland’s No.1 for years to come.

The Yeppoon Seagulls product scored an incredible individual 80-metre try on debut to post first points of the match.

Maroons players celebrate their win Picture: Getty Images

She backed it up in the second half with a second four-pointer, set up by fellow debutant Tarryn Aiken who pierced through the Blues defensive line.

Aiken was incredible herself, scoring a four-pointer on debut as well.

BLUE CAPTAIN

Kezie Apps was inspirational in the Blues jersey.

She had overcome a medial cruciate ligament injury in her right knee suffered during the NRLW season to play in the Origin encounter.

And she proved instrumental.

Tarryn Aiken of the Maroons celebrates scoring a try Picture: Getty Images

With her right knee heavily strapped, she managed to score a try and threatened the defence with every touch of the ball.

DALLY (M) BRIGGINSHAW

She’s the best female player in the game for a reason.

Ali Brigginshaw was playing out of position in the No.13 jersey but she was still as influential in both defence and attack.

Her effort was epitomised just two minutes before halftime when she rushed up in defence to force a knock on.

HOME SOIL

There’s a reason why the Maroons wanted to play in front of a home crowd.

Despite a smattering of blue around the sold-out Sunshine Coast Stadium, the “Queenslander” chant erupted on several occasions to spur on the Maroons players.

It was the first game on home soil for the Maroons under the new women’s State of Origin banner and the first since the 2015 Interstate Challenge.

And it had an air of all things Queensland leading up to the match – from a 26C day to a passing afternoon thunderstorm just moments from kick-off.

The wet surface made ball handling a worry during much of the game, with 22 errors from both sides by the end of the match.

The Courier-Mail