QLD centre Steven Tatipata scored two tries to end the Blues dominance of the annual Interstate Indigenous U16 boys challenge at Hunter Stadium tonight, helping the Maroons to a narrow 18-14 win, their first in five years.
Tatipata scored his first try in a thrilling first half which saw both sides score twice with Blues fullback Tristan Sailor’s conversion the difference at half-time as NSW led 10-8.
After an early try in the second half to NSW halfback Zack Stewart to give the Blues’ a 14-8 lead, it was all one-way traffic in favour of the Maroons with tries to Tatipata and Christian Power and a conversion to Michael Carroll.
The NSW boys were great in camp all week long and despite going down narrowly on game day, certainly did themselves, their families and their people proud.
QLD Indigenous U16 Boys 18 (Steven Tatipata 2, Julian Christian, Christian Power tries; Michael Carroll goal) def.NSW Indigenous U16 Boys 14 (Heath Gibbs, Dean Kelly, Zack Stewart tries; Tristan Sailor goals)
