Parramatta have upset Brisbane 22-10 in a fiery NRLW clash that erupted in the second half with two players sent to the sin-bin.
Eels lock Kennedy Cherrington and Broncos prop Annetta Nu’uausala were both binned in the 61st minute at Suncorp Stadium after an all-in melee ensued.
Cherrington had taken exception to a hip-drop tackle on her younger sister, hooker Rueben Cherrington, by Nu’uausala who was also put on report. Cherrington pushed Nu’uausala over and the Broncos firebrand responded with a punch.
“This is my baby sister and I am here to protect her,” Cherrington told Fox League after the match.
“I got sent off but I am going to go and shake (Nu’uausala’s) hand. It is all good.
“What a way to start the season. To come to Suncorp and win is not easy. It’s a massive credit to our girls.”
The Eels deserved their win with half Rachael Pearson and lock Cherrington outstanding.
Jillaroos winger Julia Robinson blitzed her way to the tryline in a 95m run after collecting a cross-field bomb to open the scoring for the Broncos, but the first half turned when the hosts’ discipline let them down.
The Eels won the penalty count 7-1 in the opening 35 minutes.
Winger Zali Fay scored in the corner after throwing a crafty dummy on the inside before centre Rory Owen crashed over on her NRLW debut.
The pattern continued early in the second half when Eels winger Monique Donovan finished a sweeping movement for the visitors to lead 14-4.
Broncos prop Chelsea Lenarduzzi barged over but Pearson showed her class by landing a 40/30 before setting up Kennedy Cherrington for a try with a sublime grubber.
Cowboys shut out as Cronulla make perfect start
Cronulla got their season off to a flying start with a comfortable 14-0 win over North Queensland at Pointsbet Stadium.
The visitors lost influential prop Makenzie Weale early on to an HIA after the Queensland State of Origin representative copped a head knock in an Ellie Johnston tackle.
The Sharks capitalised on their forward pack’s dominance to pull out to a three-try lead at halftime.
All three four-pointers came via Cronulla’s potent left edge – one through centre Tiana Penitani and two courtesy of winger Cassie Staples.
Lock Brooke Anderson was typical of the Sharks’ steadfast defence as they held their opponents scoreless for the first time in their NRLW history, forcing several handling errors with bone-rattling tackling.
Even five-eighth Emma Tonegato, who assisted in two tries and two line-breaks, muscled up in defence with 16 tackles.
North Queensland grew into the game but the contest turned into a scrappy affair in the second half.
Both sides failed to trouble the scorers after halftime as they struggled to complete their sets.
Knights’ premiership defence begins with tight win
Newcastle have made an early statement in their pursuit of an NRLW title three-peat, putting up a red-and-blue brick wall to beat the Sydney Roosters 12-10.
In a dramatic opening to the NRLW season, the Roosters fought back from 10-0 down late to make it 12-10 when Jess Sergis scored in the final minute.
But from just to the right of the posts, Roosters kicker Jocelyn Kelleher sprayed the ball past the left upright to leave the Tri-colours heartbroken.
In truth, the final score did not reflect how well the Knights defended at McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday night.
It took the Roosters 72 tackles in the Knights’ half to crack Newcastle’s tryline late in the match, as the hosts repelled set after set on their own line.
Dally M Medallist Tamika Upton again showed her class at fullback for the Knights, while halfback Jesse Southwell was as good as anyone in defence.
Time and time again Knights defenders held on, as the Roosters attempted crash plays and sweeping movements to their outside backs.
Teenage halfback Southwell pulled off two on-the-line try-saving tackles, including one on rampaging prop Millie Elliott.
Upton stopped a charging Pani Hopoate, while Sheridan Gallagher forced opposing winger Taina Naividi out as she went over the line.
Tamika Upton runs with the ball. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)
And the best was still to come, with Shanice Parker pulling down Jasmin Strange from behind within metres of the tryline right on halftime.
“They just kept repelling and repelling,” Knights coach Ben Jeffries said.
“In the end it was two kicks they got tries off … I could see other teams capitulating with the amount of the ball (the Roosters) had out there.”
In contrast, the Knights didn’t miss their chances.
After only having one tackle inside the Roosters’ half in the first 20 minutes, Newcastle scored on their first attacking raid.
Initially denied when Parker was put into touch by an Isabelle Kelly high tackle, Olivia Higgins darted over from dummy-half following the ensuing penalty.
And Upton was again able to show her threat moments later, dummying long and passing short for centre Abigail Roache to cross.
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In the end, it took something special for the Roosters to get on the board with 11 minutes remaining.
Desperately in need of points, Tarryn Aiken chipped ahead for Sergis from 40 metre out, and loomed up in support play before putting Kelleher over.
And after a Sergis high shot allowed Newcastle to kick 12-6 clear, the Roosters gave themselves a late hope when Aiken grubber-kicked early for Sergis to score.
That should have sent the match to extra-time, only for Kelleher to miss the conversion as Newcastle claimed their 10th straight win since early last season.
“I grabbed Joc at the end and told her I was really happy for her to put her hand up and take that goal,” coach John Strange said.
“I’m all about someone putting their hand up and saying they will take it on.”