The Queensland Murri under-16 side have retained the Steve “Bear” Hall Shield after overcoming a 10-point deficit to defeat the New South Wales Koori under-16 side at Mudgee’s Glen Willow Oval.
New South Wales lead 14-0 after 20 minutes thanks to tries to Tyler Moodie, Travys Downton and Michael Whitton before Queensland got on the board through Braith Major.
A try just before the break to interchange player Hubert Elu would cut the Koori lead to just four points.
The Kooris extended their lead to 10 just after half time when Jarrah McLeod scored close the posts but it would be the last time they would add points.
Two tries in three minutes would follow for Queensland, with Kmani Levi crossing in the 47th minute and Brayden Duffy scoring in the 50th.
Murri halfback Zadok Heron Jia would convert the try, giving Queensland a 22-20 lead, their first of the game,
Queensland would put the game out of reach with five minutes to play when Keanu Wright-Dunrobin collected his rebounded kick to score, with Heron Jia converting to stretch their lead to eight.
Tuvalli Khan-Pereira, who was named Queensland captain after Ezra Mam was ruled out during the week, was named Man of the Match.
Queensland Murri 28 (Braith Major, Hubert Elu, Kmani Levi, Brayden Duffy, Keanu Wright-Dunrobin tries; Zadok Heron Jia 3, Xavier Chatfield-Mooka goals) def. NSW Koori 20 (Tyler Moodie, Travys Downton, Michael Whitton, Jarrah McLeod tries; Fletcher Myers, Liam Browne goals) at Glen Willow Oval. Man of the Match: Tuvalli Khan-Pereira (Queensland Murri)
18TH MAN 