Fitting finale to close Day 4 of the National Championships
The final day of the 2023 Harvey Norman National Championships came to a fitting close as top teams NSW City and Queensland Rubys played out an 8-8 draw.
Last year's title holders Rubys were made to fight hard to remain undefeated, with a late penalty goal seeing them draw level.
Both sides finished on top of their pools to close out the tournament while fellow undefeated team Northern Territory remained that way after posting a strong win against South Australia in Field 2's first game of the day.
All 12 teams were in action at Burleigh to finish the tournament with the Burleigh Bears Junior Rugby League fields also hosting three games as well as regular venue UAA Park.
At the conclusion of the Rubys and City match, an on-field presentation for Team of the Tournament and Player of the Tournament was made, with City prop Alexis Tauaneai claiming Tahnee Norris Medal as the Player of the Tournament.
UAA Park play-off matches - results
Ahi Kā Aotearoa v South Australia
Match: Ahi Ka Aotearoa v South Australia
Round 4 -
home Team
Ahi Ka Aotearoa
away Team
South Australia
Venue: UAA Park, Gold Coast
Ahi Kā Aotearoa finished their maiden Harvey Norman Women's National Championships appearance on a high, claiming a powerful 32-0 win against South Australia.
Overall, the visiting New Zealand side scored two wins and suffered two losses in their first campaign at the annual tournament and put in a strong showing throughout.
South Australia, while unable to score any points, showed plenty of heart across the four days and no one could doubt the effort they put into their defence.
NSW Emerging Country v First Nations Gems
Match: NSW Emerging Country v First Nations Gems
Round 4 -
home Team
NSW Emerging Country
away Team
First Nations Gems
Venue: UAA Park, Gold Coast
NSW Emerging Country and First Nations Gems played out the first draw of the tournament when the two sides could not be separated in their final match.
The Gems had the early running, scoring the opening two tries of the match to lead 10-0, but the NSW side fought back in the second to score two of their own.
NSW City v Queensland Rubys
Match: NSW City Women v QLD Rubys
Round 4 -
home Team
NSW City Women
away Team
QLD Rubys
Venue: UAA Park, Gold Coast
A penalty goal late in the second half from Rilee Jorgensen saw Queensland Rubys draw level with NSW City with the two sides playing out an 8-8 draw to close the action on Field 1.
The game was a close as fans expected, with both teams topping their pools undefeated.
NSW City started well with the first try of the match to Grace-Lee Weekes in just the third minute. They crossed the line again early in second half with Amelia Pasikala extending their lead, before the Rubys mounted their fightback thanks to an important try to Tayla Sykes.
Burleigh Bears Junior Rugby League play-offs - results
2023 Women's National Championships - Day 4 - Field 2
Western Australia v Northern Territory
Match: Western Australia v Northern Territory
Round 4 -
home Team
Western Australia
away Team
Northern Territory
Venue: Burleigh Bears JRLFC, Gold Coast
Northern Territory held on against Western Australia to remain undefeated in their 2023 tournament campaign.
Winger Abigail Hills crossed for two tries in the 12-8 win which was a hard-fought contest throughout.
The match was close at halftime, with NT holding a slim 4-0 lead, before they were able to shake off their opposition late to claim the win.
Queensland Sapphires v Victoria
Match: QLD Sapphires v Victoria
Round 4 -
home Team
QLD Sapphires
away Team
Victoria
Venue: Burleigh Bears JRLFC, Gold Coast
Queensland Sapphires secured their first win of the tournament with a strong performance against Victoria to run out 28-0 victors.
The Sapphires crossed for five tries in an attacking display which saw them out to an 18-0 lead at the halftime break.
The win means both teams walk away from the 2023 campaign with a victory to their tally.
NSW Country v Australian Defence Force
Match: NSW Country Women v ADF Women
Round 4 -
home Team
NSW Country Women
away Team
ADF Women
Venue: Burleigh Bears JRLFC, Gold Coast
Australian Defence Force did it all in the first half to record another win this year's tournament, defeating NSW Country 12-0.
Both of their tries came in the first half thanks to prop Mardi Longford and centre Lowana McDougall.
The NSW side were unable to break through the ADF defences in what was a closely-contested match.
The Harvey Norman Women’s National Championship was proudly supported by Major Events Gold Coast. NRL.com live streamed the event across all four days.
