NSW Police representative team 2014 V Queensland
The NSW Police Rugby League representative team flew to Mooloolaba on the Queensland Sunshine coast on Monday 7 July 2014.
The purpose of the trip was to go into camp, in anticipation of their pending fixture against the Queensland Police Representative team at Suncorp Stadium Brisbane, as a curtain raiser to State of Origin 3 on the following Wednesday. A second game against the 'Affiliated states' Police team would be played on the Thursday, requiring the blues to back up.
The Queensland Police representative team had been in camp at the Queensland Police academy five days earlier and had the jump on their NSW counterparts.
NSWPRL training at Maroochydore.
NSW fullback Liam Watson was forced off. Liam is consoled by club patron A/C Clarke and treated by Steve 'Hugh Jackman' Wilson.
Liam's misfortune caused a reshuffle in the back line with exciting centre 3/4 Lee Cameron moved to fullback. Lee played a fantastic game and was solid in defence and chimed into the attack frequently to cause Queensland continual problems. This allowed Andrew Devlin to show his wares in the centre 3/4 position and that he did. Queensland's deceptive back James Bartholomew was always probing for weaknesses and commenced to dart through a half gap before a brilliant copybook low tackle from Andrew.
NSW lock Danny Lawrence was next to score a try also converted by Josh Murphy. A penalty on half time allowed Josh Murphy to kick a further two points and NSW went to the sheds with a healthy 20 to nil lead.
Coach Craig Sheridan speaks to the squad at half time.
In the second half, Queensland came out with a spirited attitude and that man again James Bartholomew took an amazing intercept ten metres out from the Queensland try line and ran ninety metres to score near the posts. He converted his try and the score was reduced to a fourteen point buffer for the blues. Queensland were next to score and the lead reduced to eight points. We had a game on our hands.
Mitch West led from the front with Dave Cox, Jordan Hollis and Brayden Sharrock and scored a fantastic thirty metre try down the south eastern corner of Suncorp Stadium. Josh Murphy was on song again and converted..26-12.
Brayden Sharrock is given a well deserved break.
NSW had the luxury of being able to replace Rob Mears with exciting speed machine Matt Jonstone, who was next to score. Liam Watson had stopped the floodgates of his 'I suppose' and made his way back on to score a similar intercept to James Bartholomew's earlier one.
Liam Watson in full flight, burns the Suncorp turf.
Josh Murphy had a fantastic game and worked well with Jai Jones to keep the NSW backs structure on song. His ability to kick seven goals from seven attempts was a remarkable effort under pressure.
Josh Murphy steers his seventh goal through the Suncorp sticks.
Tough NSW lock Danny Lawrence won 'man of the match' honours closely followed by Mitch West and Lee Cameron.
Coach Craig Sheridan said this after the game, "I thought the boys were outstanding on the night. They were tough clinical and uncompromising. Special mention to our young front rowers Brayden Sharrock and Jordan Hollis who set the platform. Danny Lawrence was outstanding in the lock forwards position and a deserved man of the match. Our halves Jai Jones and Josh Murphy capitalised on the great 'go forward' setting up numerous breaks on the edges. Also special mention for NSW right edge forward Mitch West who is without doubt one of the best Police footballers to have ever played"
The successful NSW Police team who defeated Queensland Police at Suncorp Stadium Brisbane 38 points to 12.
NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione was on hand to congratulate his officers for a fantastic victory. He was supported by Deputy Commissioner David Hudson and Assistant Commissioners Alan Clarke and Jeff Loy. What fantastic support for the NSW Police hierarchy to support their brave warriors who represented this great Police Force.
Our Queensland brothers were humble in defeat and Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart and Police Minister were first to congratulate the NSW side.
Game two against the the affiliated states will be addressed in another article.