Lauren Brown’s last-minute field goal keeps Women’s State of Origin series alive as Maroons win Game II

A 69th-minute field goal to Lauren Brown has delivered Queensland one of their finest wins in Women’s State of Origin history with the Maroons downing New South Wales 11-10 in Newcastle.

In atrocious conditions, Brown’s strike was true from 25 metres out in the dying stages as the Queenslanders upset the Newcastle crowd of 25,872, a new record for a women’s rugby league game.

Despite the persistent driving rain, the locals had plenty to cheer for early, with the Sky Blues dominating the first half, but only coming away with one Keeley Davis try to take a 6-0 lead into the break.

Queensland did not get on the board until Shenae Ciesiolka crashed over with 16 minutes left and Brown shanked the potentially game-tying conversion from the sideline.

NSW answered back when Tiana Penitani scored what looked like a series winner in th 59th minute, but the Maroons regathered off the kick-off as Romy Teitzel skidded a ball into touch, and five-eighth Tarryn Aiken crossed for a brilliant solo effort, crucially right next to the posts.

Brown made no mistake with that conversion to levels scores at 10, then booted the game-winner with just under two minutes left in the match to take the lead for the first time across the two games so far.

She also snatched the short kick-off as the Maroons ran down the clock to tie things up at one game apiece.

“She’s just a clutch player,” Maroons captain Ali Brigginshaw told ABC Sport.