Queensland have continued its perfect start to the AON Next Gen Sevens, taking out the second round of action in Narrabri.
The injection of Australian Sevens trio Charlotte Caslick, Lily Dick and Teagan Levi alongside young guns Kaitlan Shave and Bella Nasser proved too difficult to contain as they swept through the competition in sweltering conditions in northeast NSW.
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They didn't have it their own way, with hosts NSW buoyed by the likes of Faith Nathan, Madison Ashby, Tia Hinds and Sariah Paki.
The Waratahs took a 10-7 lead into half-time of the opening game after Sevens superstar Nathan raced away on the siren.
However, Queensland refused to panic as Caslcik and Levi combined for their second try in two minutes after captain Sidney Taylor’s effort restored their lead.
Ashby set up the grandstand finish, catching the Reds' napping before Nathan ran down round one standout Shave after the speedster broke clear.
In the end, Queensland controlled the final minutes to secure victory, backing it up instantly with a 60-0 thumping of the Rising Stars.
There were eight different try-scorers for the competition leaders in the ruthless performance, with Dick’s double no doubt impressing Australian coach Tim Walsh as they crossed to victory.
The tough afternoon for the Stars continued, with NSW taking out the 41-0 victory to conclude day one.
The invitational team entered the final day with a point to prove and pushed the hosts until the end, setting the tempo via a blistering run by Tahli Devine from inside her own 22.
They came back from a 17-7 deficit to level the scores with a minute remaining, only to once again have their hearts broken when Alice Gregory sprinted down the sidelines for her third try of the game.
It set up a crucial clash with the Queenslanders to decide the winners of round two, who easily accounted for the Stars 41-5.
The electric Shave and Dick got Reg Taylor’s side off to the perfect start before NSW scored either side of the break to level it up at 14-all.
Hinds looked set to break the deadlock, ripping the ball free for Sevens teammate Ashby to kick ahead, only for Dick to come from nowhere to stop the certain try to the 20-year-old.
A NSW mistake give Queensland prime field position, with the combination of Caslick and Levi proving the difference as Teagan sprinted away down the short side to score the decider.
Queensland remains on top of the table with 12 points, four ahead of their NSW counterparts as the action heads to Daceyville on February 18.
*All times AEDT
- 1:20 pm: Queensland 21 def New South Wales 17
- 3:00 pm: Queensland 60 def AON Rising Stars 0
- 4:40 pm: New South Wales 43 def AON Rising Stars 0
- 2:05 pm: New South Wales 24 def AON Rising Stars 19
- 3:25 pm: AON Rising Stars 5 def by Queensland 41
- 4:45 pm: New South Wales 14 def by Queensland 21
