Claire Stegbauer
The NSWRL Under 19s Women’s representative clash between Country and City turned into an unforgettable epic on Sunday afternoon at Jubilee Stadium, with City eventually emerging 28-26 victors after a dramatic golden point finish.
Country struck first blood in the third minute, when centre Tyra Ekepati pounced on an intercept 40 metres out and showed a clean pair of heels, racing 60 metres untouched to dive under the posts.
It was the perfect start for the Country side, with Logan Fletcher adding the easy extras to take a 6-0 lead.
City didn’t take long to answer. A strong set led by their forward pack laid the platform before fullback Kayla Henderson produced a moment of magic, flicking a pass out wide to winger Kiana Vatubua, who crossed in the corner. The conversion attempt missed, keeping Country narrowly ahead 6-4.
With momentum swinging, it was Country who hit back next. Front-rower Bronte Wilson sliced through the defensive line, stepped around the fullback and sold a dummy before diving under the posts for a stunning solo effort. Fletcher made no mistake from in front to extend the lead to 12-4.
City stuck to their plan and again used their middle forwards to march upfield. Halfback Logan Lemusu delivered a pinpoint cut-out ball to Danielle Seckold, who finished expertly on the right edge to keep her side in it.
Moments later, it was deja vu for Country’s defence. Siulolo Richter surged forward with a barnstorming run, gaining 20 metres before Lemusu again targeted the right edge. The ball popped up perfectly for Seckold, who strolled over for her second try in as many minutes. With the conversion nailed from out wide, City took the lead for the first time, 14-12.
Impact player Felila Fakalelu made her presence felt off the bench, powering through tackles and pushing City into attacking territory.
Just as it looked like City would head into the break on top, Country sparked back into life with two sharp sets. Shifting left, hooker Tori Shipton linked with Evie McGrath, who quickly tipped it on to Indie Bostock. The winger did the rest, diving over in the 29th minute to reclaim the lead.
Fletcher’s sideline conversion attempt as the siren sounded was waved away, leaving Country ahead 16-14 at the break.
After a back-and-forth first half, City wasted no time finding points after the break. Dummy half Ava Jones delivered a looping cut-out ball to Kiana Vatubua, who did well to control it and crash over in the corner for her second of the day. With the conversion from the sideline left to Kiara McGregor, she curled it beautifully between the uprights to extend City’s lead to 20-16.
Country found joy down their right edge, shifting wide to Koffi Brookfield, who juggled the pass before slamming the ball down to level the scores once again. The conversion attempt drifted wide, keeping it locked at 20-all with just over 10 minutes left.
The final minutes of regular time turned frantic as both sides raised the intensity. A knock-on from Country in their own half opened the door for City, and a follow-up penalty only increased the pressure.
City didn’t waste the opportunity, Ava Jones, having already set up one earlier in the half, darted out of dummy half, bounced off defenders and found a gap to slide over and give City a crucial lead with five minutes remaining. McGregor added the extras, making it 26-20.
With the game slipping away, Country needed something special, and it came in the dying seconds.
A high tackle on Tyra Ekepati gifted Country one last penalty. With one minute on the clock, they marched downfield and launched their final attack. Danielle Seckold released Elise Simpson down the left touchline, and the winger took off on a stunning 50-metre run. Weaving in and out of defenders, Simpson chose to go herself, veering closer to the posts to give her side the best chance. It was a miracle play, and the conversion from Fletcher was just as clutch, sailing over to level the scores at 26-26 as the siren sounded.
That try sent the match into extra time, where fatigue set in and both teams dug deep. Mistakes crept in, cramps hit tired bodies, and both sides had their chances to ice the game. Simpson nearly produced a match-winning double, only for it to be called back for offside, a moment that gave City a lifeline.
With no winner found in extra time, the match rolled into golden point.
Both teams attempted field goals, but it was Kiara McGregor, who became the women of the hour, From 20 metres out, just to the right of the posts, she struck it sweetly and watched it sail over the black dot, sealing victory in one of the most gripping Country v City clashes.
