A jam-packed day of rugby league at Pizzey Park kicked off with Combined Affiliated States and the Australian Defence Force team facing off to start the Harvey Norman Women's National Championships play-off matches.
Both teams were able to cross the line for their first points of the tournament, but it was the Combined Affiliated States who came away with the win.
Match: CAS Women v ADF Women
Finals -
home Team
CAS Women
away Team
ADF Women
Venue: Pizzey Park, Gold Coast
Game 1
Combined Affiliated States 10 (Cherysh Leaf, Latoniya Norris tries; Kailey Thompson penalty goal) def Australian Defence Force 4 (Morgan Higgins try)
Halftime: Australian Defence Force 4 – Combined Affiliated States 4
It was a thrilling finale to the touch exhibition matches, with the scores tied at 12-12 at fulltime between the Queensland Baker’s Breakers and NSW Studdon’s Stars in their third and deciding match.
In golden point, it was a try from Kisa Ioane who claimed the win for their state 16-12.
Match: SEQ Women v QLD Country Women
Finals -
home Team
SEQ Women
away Team
QLD Country Women
Venue: Pizzey Park, Gold Coast
Last year’s game between these two sides produced great football as Chelsea Baker’s after-the-siren conversion claimed the win for Country – but this year, the two sides could not be separated.
Playing without the experience of prop Heather Ballinger and fullback Baker; Country dug deep and were strong in the second half to claw their way back to level the scores.
It was a seesawing and entertaining match with some great skills show, including by SEQ halfback Ali Brigginshaw who directed play well, especially in the first half; while Country forwards Layla Fauid and Deborah Barchard proved powerful.
South East Queensland 16 (Tanika Marshall, Mauitua Feterika, Karina Brown tries; Ali Brigginshaw 2 goals) drew Queensland Country 16 (Lana Sheedy 2, Layla Fauid tries; Lana Sheedy 2 goals)
Halftime: South East Queensland 6 – Queensland Country 4
Match: NSW City Women v NSW Country Women
Finals -
home Team
NSW City Women
away Team
NSW Country Women
Venue: Pizzey Park, Gold Coast
It was a replay of the 2018 final when NSW City and NSW Country faced off for this year’s title, but it was a very different result.
City dominated in the second half on their way to a commanding seven-tries-to-one win over their same-state rivals.
Rugby union convert Tiana Penitani scored another hat-trick and was one of the many impressive performers in the City side.
Game 3
NSW City 34 (Tiana Penitani 3, Maddie Studdon, Botille Vette-Welsh, Teina Clark, Kiana Takairangi tries; Maddie Studdon 3 goals def NSW Country 4 (Kylie Hilder try) at Pizzey Park
Tahnee Norris Medal - Player of the Tournament: Tiana Penitani (NSW City)
...
Day 3 results: Women's National Championships
Day 2 results: Women's National Championships
Day 1 results: Women's National Championships
