A first half try to Tyesha Mikaio proved the key for Brothers St Brendans who claimed this year's SEQ Under 18 Girls title with a close 16-10 win over the Redlands Parrots at their game at Cbus Super Stadium.
It was a tight first half with both sides showing huge commitment in defence, with the teams struggling to crack the line to score.
While both were able to make breaks down the field and get into good position; the goal line defence of each side showed true desperation.
However, the tide changed when a quick-thinking play from Queensland Under 18 representative China Polata proved fruitful.
Redlands played the ball, but the dummy half was too slow in picking it up, so Polata swooped and was able to dart downfield before popping an offload to Mikaio in support.
The conversion attempt was waved away, but the Brothers St Brendan's had an important 4-0 lead at the halftime break.
Played as the curtain-raiser to the Round 23 Harvey Norman Women in League Round game between the Gold Coast Titans and the Parramatta Eels, the crowd built steadily in the second half and they were treated to a show.
The Parrots went on the attack early in the second half and came oh so close - however, as they were in the first half, they were denied by some great defence which saw the Brothers side force them into losing the ball over the line and into touch.
St Brendan's were then rewarded for their work with a try up the other end of the field when Sara Sautia crashed over in the far right corner.
Redlands Parrots got on the board with 14 minutes to go in the game to set up a thrilling finish.
After a strong run from dummy half from Chelsea Campbell, the referee ruled that she got the ball down on the tryline. Fullback Molly Parry kicked the conversion for a 8-6 scoreline.
The try seemed to ignite a spark in both teams, with the two sides producing more free-flowing play as they chanced their arm.
However, this also meant there were a few errors; and after an offload went wrong for the Parrots, Brothers St Brendan's received a scrum and they made use of their opportunity. The side steamed down the field and the ball found Elieta Galuvao who went over in the right corner,
The Parrots though would just not go away and they struck back when halfback Sierra Maple put the ball over for a try after some good lead-up play from her team mates at the line who showed no fear of offloading.
That brought the scores to 12-10; but the kick was waved away and Brothers St Brendan's had a slim two-point lead.
Despite some back-and-forth play, the game was put beyond doubt when Sautia was over again; once again on the right hand side after Polata helped set up the scoring play in the middle of the field with an evasive run.
The game was not only an exciting way to finish the season for the SEQ Under 18 competition, it was also a great showcase of the skills the young players coming up through the ranks possess; showing the future is bright for women's rugby league.
Brothers St Brendan 16 (Sara Sautia 2, Tyesha Mikaio, Elieta Galuvao tries) def Redlands Parrots 10 (Chelsea Campbell, Sierra Maple tries; Molly Parry goal) at Cbus Super Stadium on Friday, August 16.
Player of the match: Elaina Saluni (Brothers St Brendan's 20)
