Baby Blues put record score on QLD

NSW continued its dominance in the annual Under 16’s fixture with a record 30-0 win over their Queensland counterparts at ANZ Stadium overnight.

The Baby Blues were relentless both in attack and defence in what Coach Dave Howlett called “the most controlled game of football he had seen from players 16 years old”.

NSW weathered an initial QLD attack in the early minutes but then produced some clinical football to post first points in just the 5th minute.

Newcastle’s Brock Lamb executed the perfect kick-chase when he bundled QLD fullback Connor Cox into touch and, from the ensuing set of six, Manly centre Jesse Ramien opened the Blues’ account.

Just seven minutes later the Blues were in again courtesy of some smart play from captain Joseph Tramontana. The Eels rake saw an overlap on the short side and fed the ball to a barnstorming Reimis Smith who spun out of some tackles to score.

The Baby Blues then took their advantage out to 16 points when prop forward Gabriel Hamlin scored a converted try close to the sticks in the 16th minute.

NSW began where they left off in the second half as utility Jack Cogger, son of former Magpie Trevor, managed to burrow over to the right of the posts and score a determined four pointer.

The ever growing crowd was then treated to two brilliant tries courtesy of some sharp backline movements. Firstly, Michael Doolan, Jack Cogger and eventual try scorer Latrell Mitchell combined for a superb try and then the backline again combined for Jesse Ramien to grab his second try of the night.

Perhaps the most pleasing point of the night was the hustle shown in defence to stop Queensland centre Jaydn Sua from scoring late in the half. Sua looked certain to claim QLD’s first points but great cover defence from Reimis Smith and Robbie Graham kept the Maroons scoreless.

For the Baby Blues, Newcastle’s Brock Lamb, South Sydney’s Nat Butcher and Western Suburbs back-rower Ray Stone were superb but it was hard to pinpoint a man of the match in such a polished performance.

The NSWRL High Performance Unit now turns its attention to the NSW Under 18’s v QLD Under 18’s match at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday, June 26.

We will be in Brisbane for the match so make sure you stay glued to this website in the lead up for more exclusive content.

New South Wales 30 (Jesse Ramien 2, Latrell Mitchell, Gabriel Hamlin, Jack Cogger, Reimis Smith tries; Brock Lamb 3 goals) def Queensland 0

Half time: NSW 16 – QLD 0

Baby Blues put record score on QLD