Injury blow for Queensland as NSW score Residents payback
THE Queensland Residents were struck down by a vengeful NSW outfit in Sydney last night, losing halfback Jamal Fogarty to injury in the 36- 20 defeat.
A first- half masterclass proved too much for Jon Buchanan’s men to recover from, as NSW ran in five tries to none to send shockwaves through ANZ Stadium.
Queensland went to Sydney the reigning victors after a resounding 36- 6 win last year.
But NSW hit back in style, buoyed by two- try hero Dean Britt, who actually spurred Queensland on to their victory in 2017 before moving to Sydney this season.
While the team put in a much stronger second half performance – scoring three tries in the final seven minutes – their loss was compounded by an ankle injury to Fogarty.
The Burleigh playmaker had to be assisted from the field in the 26th minute, damaging Queensland’s chances of a comeback.
While Mitch Cronin was did his best to fill Fogarty’s shoes, the 24- year- old has been the in- form halfback of the Intrust Super Cup this year and his experience was missed.
This will be a concern for the Bears, who are sitting second on the ladder and have been led strongly chief playmaker.
The second half comeback was mostly inspired by fullback Scott Drinkwater and the team’s right edge in Patrick Kaufusi, Billy Walters and Marion Seve. Blackhawks winger Kalifa Faifai- Loa by their looked at home in the pressure cooker environment, scoting two tries for Queensland in yet another impressive performance by the in- form flyer, who has played a prominent role in Townsville’s surge to the top of the ISC ladder.
Former Blackhawks and Cowboys player Blake Leary also crossed for a four- pointer, with his try coming in Queensland’s late fightback
36 ( Dean Britt 2, Kyle Flanagan, Luke Garner, Sean O’Sullivan, Tony Santini tries; Kyle Flanagan 6 goals) def
20 ( Kalifa Faifai- Loa 2, Blake Leary, Scott Drinkwater tries; Faifai- Loa 2 goals).