Women's State of Origin game 1: NSW Blues take down Queensland Maroons

Yesterday at 08:33

• Mistakes cost the home side dear in 32-12 defeat
• Record women's crowd see Blues debutants shine

New South Wales overpowered a mistake-prone Queensland side 32-12 in a compelling but ultimately one-sided Women's State of Origin opener in front of a record crowd at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday, thanks to key contributions from three debutants.

Late try-scorer Abbi Church was incisive at fullback, Jayme Fressard crossed twice on the left wing and towering prop forward Ellie Johnston scored the decisive four-pointer midway through the second half that settled the contest which gave the Blues a lead in the three-match series.