Despite a gutsy effort, the Queensland Women side went down 22-6 to NSW.
The team had hoped to send out champion players Steph Hancock and Renae Kunst as winners - but came up against a formidable NSW team who were too good on the day.
Blue winger Jessica Sergis scored a hat-trick on her NSW debut as the Blues made it back-to-back wins in the annual representative game.
The tone was set early when Blues skipper Ruan Sims put in some strong hits in the first half while Kezie Apps celebrated her return to the representative scene with several offloads and plenty of tough carries on the left edge.
In another positive sign for the women's game, the eastern hill was virtually full as thousands flocked in to enjoy a high-quality contest between 34 players desperate to stake their claim ahead of the end-of-year World Cup.
In a blow for NSW, Jillaroos fullback Sam Bremner was helped from the field early in the second half with what appeared to be a lower-leg injury.
Things started well for Queensland, who set the pace early and looked odds on to score inside the opening three minutes through Heather Ballinger, only for Bremner to produce a try-saving tackle.
It didn't take long for the hosts to click into gear when Isabelle Kelly made a clean break down the left edge to put them on the attack, before Bremner took advantage of a backwards kick from Caitlin Moran to hit Sergis with a cut-out pass to open the scoring.
Sensing a weakness down Queensland's right edge, NSW continued to send plenty of traffic down that flank with Apps and Nakia Davis-Welsh each making inroads; the latter leading to another try to Sergis when Maddie Studdon kicked for her winger with the Blues boasting an eight-woman overlap.
Just when it looked like the Blues would run away with it, the visitors got the all-important hit back when Hancock turned Jenni-Sue Hoepper under to get Queensland on the board.
The injury setback to Bremner could have rattled the home side, but instead it only spurred them on as NSW moved further in front in the 52nd minute when Studdon's boot picked out Corban McGregor to make it 14-6.
The good times kept rolling for the Blues when Vanessa Foliaki latched onto a Matt Gidley-like flick from Caitlin Moran to cross in the corner to push the lead out to two converted tries before Sergis finished off a backline shift to complete her hat-trick.
The injury toll was also heavy for the Queensland side with Ballinger returning to the field in the second half to play despite a broken hand, while forward leader Kunst was unable to finish the game after failing her HIA assessment.
Kody House – who moved from the wing last year to the front row – also injured her foot, but also returned to the field.
Despite being a disappointing loss, it was still a great showpiece for the women’s game during Women in League round.
NSW 22 (Jessica Sergis 3, Corban McGregor, Vanessa Foliaki tries; Caitlin Moran 1 goal) def. Queensland 6 (Jenni-Sue Hoepper try; Chelsea Baker 1 goal) at WIN Stadium. Half-time: 10-6
Player of the Match: Kezie Apps (NSW)
Full scoring details at QRL Live (link below)
