ISP NSW Residents Defeat Queensland
The Intrust Super Premiership NSW Residents side defeated Queensland 30-16 after an explosive second-half performance that blew their opposition away.
Josh Drinkwater earned Channel 9 man of the match honours with a sublime performance at halfback, while Justin Hunt was incredible at the back.
The Blues got out to a dream start, with the opening kick-off of the match being knocked on by Queensland.
Another early Queensland error allowed the NSW boys to build pressure, forcing their opposition to continually defend.
Ken Maumalo then opened the scoring for the Blues after he finished off a picture perfect right-to-left shift that was simply beautiful to watch.
Abraham Papalii went close soon after, charging towards the line and going over, but the video referee supported the decision that he was held up.
Elijah Taylor put his stamp on the match when he recieved a great offload to make a line-break, and his quick play the ball caused an automatic overlap as the ball shifted to Maumalo's wing once more for the big winger to get the ball down.
As both conversions were missed, Queenslands next try to Jahrome Hughes got the deficit back to 8-6.
The Blues immediatly hit back when Asipeli Fine crashed over, before a late Queensland try meant that New South Wales went into half-time leading 14-10.
A Wests Tigers cominbation came in handy to start the second half, with Hunt bursting through the line, drawing the fullback and passing the ball to Drinkwater who was lingering in support.
Maumalo recorded his hat-trick just moments later, despite the video referee taking a long time to confirm the put-down was correct.
Jordan Drew believed he had a try shortly afterwoods, but he was ever so slightly in front of the kicker and was ruled offside.
After another missed chance, the try of the afternoon came through interchange forward Dylan Kelly, who burned defenders to run the length of the field and put down the match-sealing try.
Queensland scored a late consolation try, but it was all New South Wales at Langlands Park, with the Blues flying home with the shield.
