Harvey Norman NSW City Womens kicked off the National Women's Championships in style on Friday (1 June) with a 24-4 win over Combined Affiliate States (CAS) in the opening game.
The team dominated from the outset to set up a commanding 14-0 lead at half time. But CAS weren't going down without fight, keeping up the pressure and scoring in the final minute of the game to put four points on the board.
Cronulla Sharks Tarsha Gale Cup star Quincy Dodd had a stellar debut, stepping into fullback from the wing after Taleena Simon was taken off with suspected concussion.
Co-captain Maddie Studdon, was happy with how her side came together to get the tournament off to the right start.
"It's a good start for us girls, we'll obviously go away and review tonight see what we can improve on before another big game tomorrow," Studdon tells NSWRL.com.au
"It was a pretty good game I give it to the Affiliated States they came and put pressure on us. Their line speed and their energy was unreal - they didn't stop until the end and that's when they scored in the last thirty seconds."
It's a quick turnaround for the City team who will face a formidable Queensland Country team.
"It's going to be a real tough game tomorrow, the Queensland Country are hard, they've got a big pack and some smart players out there. We're going to have to bring our A-game," Studdon says.
Following the National Women's Championships, a New South Wales side will be selected for first-ever Women's State of Origin, to be contested at North Sydney Oval on Friday 22 June.
NSW City Coach Steve Kelly said the quality of talent on display at this National Women's Championships shows just how strong the female game is.
"The gap is closing on the top 40 players very rapidly and they know the young girls are coming. The quality we've seen here, it's an exciting time to be part of the game," Kelly says.
"For us today, it was actually the first time we've played a game together so I think we had a little bit of rust there, but really happy with the effort and the performance, coming together so quickly.
"I was really happy with the young girls, in particular Quincy Dodd who was thrown into full back I thought had an outstanding game for her debut. Montana Fonua as well outstanding effort, led by Elianna (Walton) and we all know how good she is."
NSW City 24 (Taleena Simon, Quincy Dodd, Lavina O'Mealey, Jackie-Anne Tahu, Nita Maynard tries; Maddie Studdon 2 goals) def Combines Affiliate States 4 (Lydia Turua-Quedley try)
