A double to both Jaime Chapman and Kimberley Hunt set up a commanding 26-4 victory to the Indigenous All Stars over the Māori All Stars in the women's match at QCB Stadium at a rain soaked Townsville.
The start of the game showcased some early nerves with some mistakes in the first quarter. Kirra Dibb put her early rust aside to boot the season's first 40/30.
The Māori had some chances but Bo Vette-Welsh's pass was forward to winger Zali Fay. With time winding down in the first quarter, it looked as if it would be locked at 0-0 but Tamika Upton got early ball and the Māori defence panicked. A gap opened up for a grubber kick and it was taken by Shaylee Bent to score the first try for the Indigenous All Stars and a 4-0 lead at quarter time.
The Indigenous All Stars began the second quarter the way they finished the first. Jaime Chapman started how she finished 2023 with explosive running off an unders line, beating some tired middles and showcasing enough pace to beat Corban Baxter to cross. Dibb converted from next to the posts for a 10-0 lead. The Māori side were making careless mistakes and getting frustrated.
Following a penalty against Shanice Parker. The Indigenous side camped up the opposition end, a bounce pass from Dibb was picked up by Bobbi Law who drew in the defence and Kimberley Hunt had too much pace for the cover to cross for try number three for the Indigenous side. Dibb converted from out wide and it quickly became 16-0. The Māori side had some further chances to trouble the score attendant but a few metres out from the try-line, the movement failed and it remained a 16 point cushion at the break.
The third quarter began just like the second term with a flying Chapman racing away for her second try. Monique Donovan scooted out of dummy half before unloading to Chapman who ran the best part of 70 metres to score for the Indigenous side. Dibb converted for a 22-0 lead. The Māori side dominated field position in the third term but couldn't complete the final phases of attack despite some close calls with Rima Butler charging close to the line.
In the fourth quarter, both sides again struggled to come to terms with the greasy ball in the wet conditions. Fortunately, the Māori side held onto the ball and crossed for their first try of the contest. Raecene McGregor and Ash Quinlan combined to draw in the defenders to find Jasmine Strange and the future Rooster crossed in the right corner for the first Māori try of the contest. McGregor hooked the conversion to reduce the gap to 18.
Hunt got her second for the Indigenous in the final five minutes of the match. A clever grubber from Dibb was spilled just short of the in-goal by Zali Fay and Hunt was jolly on the spot for collect her double. Dibb's conversion was across the faith and the score stayed locked at 26-4 to the Indigenous side.