The Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons will now turn their focus to Game II in Brisbane on May 14 after a hard-fought loss to New South Wales in Newcastle tonight.
The Maroons put in a spirited performance in the opening match of the series, displaying tremendous resilience after losing key forwards Mackenzie Weale and Keilee Joseph (both Category 1 HIAs).
Despite the loss of Weale in the opening set, the Maroons were the first to strike through powerful forward Otesa Pule in just the second minute of play.
Lauren Brown’s conversion made it 6-0, and that’s how the scoreboard remained until the sound of the half-time siren.
Queensland was again willing in the second half, but handling mistakes proved costly and the Blues were able to level after Ellie Johnston crossed and Jesse Southwell added the extras.
The Maroons had the first opportunity to break the 6-6 deadlock through a Brown field goal attempt, only for it to sail wide of the posts.
Southwell was then able to put NSW in front 7-6 with a successful field goal with just eight minutes remaining.
Queensland came tantalisingly close to pulling off a famous win when hooker Jada Ferguson nearly burrowed over in the closing minutes.
However, it wasn’t to be as the Blues closed out the game and a 1-0 series lead with a try to Jessica Sergis in the final play of the game.
NEW SOUTH WALES 11 (Jessica Sergis, Jessica Sergis tries; Jesse Southwell goal) def QUEENSLAND 6 (Otesa Pule try, Lauren Brown goal) at McDonald Jones Stadium
