NSW win Origin I in golden point
time

The New South Wales Blues have defeated the Queensland Maroons 9-8 following a golden point field goal from Shaun Timmins at Telstra Stadium tonight.

It was the second ever field goal from the Blues five-eighth and came after two previous unsuccessful attempts from halfback Craig Gower.

In an often grinding match, players from both sides drove themselves to the point of exhaustion with Queensland skipper Shane Webcke finally being forced off in the 80th minute.

The Blues started off on the front foot and came close to scoring early on. But it was Maroons' half back Scott Prince who crossed first in the 23rd minute and at half time, Queensland were in front 4-0.

Man-of-the-match Shaun Timmins saw NSW back in the contest with a try in the 45th minute. A penalty goal from Craig Fitzgibbon three minutes later saw NSW go further ahead to lead 8-4.

But Queensland struck back with an inspirational break from Scott Prince which saw Brent Tate score out wide for Queensland's second try. As the match approached full time, the scores remained locked up at 8-all.

Following two long range attempts from Craig Gower, Shaun Timmins indicated that he wanted to "have a go" and - three minutes into extra time - he did just that, slotting a drop goal from 38 metres out and winning the match for NSW.

New South Wales Blues 9 Tries: Timmins Goals: Fitzgibbon 2/3. Field goal: Timmins defeated Queensland Maroons 8 Tries: Prince, Tate Goals: Smith 0/2

Telstra Stadium. Crowd: 68,344 Referee: Sean Hampstead Video Ref: Stephen Clark Touch Judges: Steve Carrall, Steve Chiddy

By the clock: 0 min: Over 65,000 people on hand for State of Origin I between NSW and QLD. Welcome to our Victorian visitors.

NSW have won the toss and elected to kick off. QLD running from north-to-south. Kickoff!

1 min: NEWS - NSW get an early penalty (Qld offisde)and opt to kick for touch - now attacking from 20m out.

2 min: NO TRY - Danny Buderus (NSW) held up over the line.

9 min: NEWS - Qld on the attack from 20m out after NSW are penalised. Grubber kick into in-goal goes dead.

12 min: NEWS - NSW grubber on the last and the ball goes dead. NSW looking sharper in attack and hungrier than the Queenslanders. Possession favours NSW 52%.

14 min: NO TRY - NSW Fullback Ben Hornby grubber kicks into the in-goal and Michael De Vere touches down for what looks like a NSW try. With no conclusive camera angle, the video ref rules a knock-on against NSW five-eighth Shaun Timmins. A let off for QLD.

20 min: NEWS - Qld come within a whisker of scoring when winger Billy Slater chases a kick through. Hornby lets it go over the dead ball line but there's not much in it. The pendulum now swinging in Qld's favour.

23 min: TRY - QLD. Halfback Scott Prince dummies and crosses over for the first try of the match, 10m in from eastern touchline. Conversion attempt Cameron Smith unsuccessful. QLD 4-0

29 min: NEWS - Chance for NSW when unmarked second rower Andrew Ryan is unable to catch the ball which is batted back following a high cross-field kick. Possession favouring Qld 53%

33 min: NEWS - NSW halfback Craig Gower trapped in-goal as Queenslander Scott Prince is calling the shots. Qld making half breaks and getting repeat sets as the NSW line looks ready to bust open.

37 min: QLD unable to convert pressure into points as NSW hold firm and come up with possession close to half time.

40 min: HALF TIME

Half time stats Tackles: NSW 221-178 Mistackles: NSW 10-5 Completions: QLD 20-14 Sets: QLD 24-23 Hitups: QLD 113-90 Kicks in play: QLD 19-11 Errors: NSW 13-4 Possession: QLD 56% Score: QLD 4-0

Second half underway... QLD kicking off. NSW running north-to-south.

40-44 min: NEWS - From the kick off NSW knock-on and QLD are on the attack! NSW survive and reply with some attacking football of their own, forcing QLD winger Justin Hodges into the corner post.

45 min: TRY - NSW. Shaun Timmins forces his way over and gets the ball down on the line with several players hanging off him. Conversion Craig Fitzgibbon 15m in from western touchline is successful. NSW 6-4

48 min: PENALTY GOAL - NSW. Fitzgibbon makes no mistake from right in front. Follows penalty against QLD skipper Shane Webcke for taking out Hornby who was chasing through after a kick. NSW 8-4

55 min: NEWS - Shane Webcke (QLD) comes off for a breather but looks to be carrying more than his usual share of injury. Possession evening out, QLD 51%.

61 min: TRY - QLD. Brent Tate scores out wide following a bust from Scott Prince up the middle of the ruck. Conversion Smith unsuccessful. 8-all

70 min: NEWS - Still 8-all with both sides looking for in-roads. Queensland's Billy Slater in the clear but called back after a forward pass. Moments later NSW's Andrew Ryan is charging to the line and NSW get a penalty (offside).

73 min: NEWS - Fitzgibbon unsuccessful with penalty goal attempt 15m in from touch. QLD trapped in-goal.

74 min: NEWS - Matt Gidley (NSW) comes within centremetres of scoring, just falling short. Brent Tate (QLD) is knocked out after copping an accidental elbow from team mate and skipper Shane Webcke.

76 min: Field goal attempt from Craig Gower (NSW) goes wide.

78 min: NEWS - QLD's Webcke knocks on and NSW are in with a big chance; and then while setting for a drop goal attempt, Craig Gower knocks on.

79 min: QLD with the last set....

80 min: We are going into Golden Point Extra Time.

QLD have won the toss and have opted to kick off.

81 min: 40m field goal attempt from Craig Gower is charged down by Tonie Carroll (QLD). Shane Webcke unable to continue and has been replaced.

83 min: FIELD GOAL - NSW. Shaun Timmins kicks the winning golden point from 38m out. NSW win State of Origin I. NSW 9-8

A grinding and tough match with every player giving their all.

Full time stats Tackles: NSW 386-372 Mistackles: QLD 22-15 Completions: QLD 35-34 Sets: NSW 49-46 Hitups: 195-all Kicks in play: Errors: NSW 22-12 Possession: 50% Score: NSW 9-8

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - S Timmins (NSW) 2 - C Fitzgibbon (NSW) 1 - S Prince (QLD) -----------------------------------------