Under 19s Women surrender Shield in narrow loss
The Westpac NSW Under 19s Women have surrendered the Shield for the first time since 2023 after a gallant 22-18 loss to Queensland at North Sydney Oval tonight.
The Blues led the match 12-10 at half-time, and 18-10 at one stage in the second half, but were unable to contain Queensland’s finish spearheaded by their forward pack, with halfback Lilianah Lewis calling the shots. Lewis had a hand in several tries, scored the match-winner with just over five minutes to go and was later named Player of the Match.
NSW hooker Tori Shipton was full of praise for her teammates, who fought to the very end as they looked to maintain grip on the Shield.
“Despite the result, it’s pretty sad, but I’m proud of my team,” Shipton said.
“We had such a good week in camp and were building something really good. Win or lose, I’m really proud of them because we gave it our all and unfortunately we didn’t get the result that we wanted.”
While both sides were guilty of handling errors during the contest, it was still highly entertaining with end-to-end action, bruising defence and skilful play.
A dropped ball from Queensland winger Gabrielle Savage presented NSW with an opportunity early on and they were quick to capitalise. The ball was spread wide with fullback Mia Vaotuua tipping a nice ball on for Freedom Crichton Ropati to pick up and stroll over the line untouched. Halfback Kiara McGregor landed the conversion from the sideline for a 6-0 lead.
Queensland gained momentum through repeat sets and the tiring NSW defence were unable to contain prop Kiara Wright who crashed through the goal-line defence to score. Fullback Torah Luadaka converted to level the scores at 6-all.
A dropped ball from Wright presented NSW with another chance and captain and lock Khyliah Gray took advantage when she popped a short ball for Taylah Falaniko to crash through the defence. McGregor landed the conversion from right in front to retake the lead at 12-6.
Queensland looked like they had scored again when centre Lilliana Nati surged at the line, but some committed defence from Logan Fletcher and McGregor saw the ball come free. Lewis picked it up and planted it over the line but the ball was ruled to have been lost in the tackle.
A dart from McGregor put NSW on the front foot and they looked to have scored when centre Anastasia Leatupue scored out wide, but the try was disallowed after a decoy runner made contact with the defence.
A dropped ball from NSW handed Queensland the ball in good field position and Mia Byrnes sent a rampaging back-rower Deleni Paitai crashing through the goal-line defence to reduce the margin to 12-10 at half-time.
The two sides started the second half with some desperate defence - Queensland No.7 Lilianah Lewis and NSW replacement forward Stella Lewis were both held up over the line - before McGregor broke the deadlock after dummying her way past the defence to score. She converted her own try to extend the lead to 18-10.
Queensland set up a grandstand finish when Lewis turned Harlem Walker back inside to bust out of a tackle from NSW back-rower Fontayne Tufuga and score next to the posts. Luadaka converted to reduce the margin to 18-16 with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Walker came close to scoring again and was only denied by some inspiring defence over the line before Tahlia O’Brien put NSW on the front foot with a charging run upfield.
Unfortunately, they were unable to take advantage, then Queensland took the lead as Lewis scored soon after to secure the Shield for the first time in two years.
