NSW Country, featuring Gerringong’s Ruan Sims, have won the Women’s Rugby League National Championships, storming home with two late tries to snatch a 16-12 victory over arch rivals NSW City in the final at Owen Park on the Gold Coast on Sunday.
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A solo try to City halfback Maddie Studdon in the second half broke an 8-all deadlock but the Country side rallied to level the scores before Ngalika Barker crashed her way over in the corner with a minute remaining.
Country were forced to field an under strength line up, with Sims ruled out with a hand injury – a result of having played three matches in as many days.
NSW City drew first blood to cross in the seventh minute with a cut-out pass from Rebecca Riley finding Quincy Dodd out wide for the winger to go over in the corner – her fifth try in three games at the Championships.
Both sides were guilty of errors in the middle of the first half but Country clicked into gear in the 18th minute with skipper Sam Bremner delivering a 20-metre pass to the chest of Shakiah Tungai who strolled over in the corner.
Bremner capped off the victory – and a return from injury – by later being named player of the tournament.
City took seven minutes to respond with Lavina O’Mealey charging her way over from close range to take back the lead 8-4.
That advantage was quickly matched by Country as the see-sawing contest continued before the break with Kyara Nean carrying three defenders over the line to go into the half-time break even before a frantic second half saw Country come out on top.
The all NSW final was refereed by Group Seven’s Karra-Lee Nolan.
Ruan’s sister CJ and her Queensland City women’s side lost their third place playoff to Queensland Country 22-20.
