Lesley Weston

State Of Origin 1

// June 4th, 2009 // NRL

The ground before the Maroons ran out

Storm carried Queensland Maroons, again, to another State Of Origin win over the New South Wales Blues last night at Etihad Stadium in front of one of the biggest crowds ES has seen in recent years!

SOA began with a bang, fireworks and Evermore performed a few of their hits, including ‘Running’.

Just moments into the game, the Blues found themselves given 6 more just 20 metres out from their try line, but opted to go for a penalty kick. This set the game at 2-0 to the Blues.

Blues’ Hayne almost put NSW further in front when it looked like he sprinted down the edge of the field and got past Slater for a try…but after Harrigan’s minutes of watching the video replay, decided Hayne stepped out of play and the try was disallowed - phew!

New South’s lead was short-lived, with Blues players probably kicking themselves for their poor choice earlier, as the Maroons scored three quick tries in around 10  minutes, leading 18-2! Billy Slater scored a superb try diving over the ball and just getting it down in time before the ball rolled out of play.

Shortly after the half-time break, the Maroons scored another try, sending the end result into little doubt. However, it was the 2nd half which saw the Blues come alive.  All of the Blues’ tries looked a bit too easy when they pulled them off. It was a case of bad defending by the Maroons, from what I thought.

Greg Inglis scored a try in each half, his first - pushed past three defenders to the try line, the second - a 70m sprint breaking the line care of a well-placed Thurston kick.

I thought Thurston’s efforts last night weren’t very good. I think he’s over-rated and sometimes looks like he doesn’t know what to do with the ball. Perhaps it was just from not being used to playing with the Maroons boys.

Craig Wing scored for the Blues after the ball bounced off of above mentioned Thurston. Which I was happy about because, which female doesn’t love Ceo’s once Bachelor of the Year Craig Wing?

Captain of the Blues Kurt Gidley made a few critical blunders which weren’t helpful to the Blues’ chances at staging a come-from-behind-win. Darius Boyd finished off the Blues with his corner try with only a few minutes left to seal the deal for Qld.

The finishing score was: 28-18.

Storm scored 3 tries for the night - 12 points.

The next two State of Origin clashes are later this year. Lets hope its a clean sweep for the experienced Queenslanders.