Eden Marine High Rugby league sensation Euan Aitken steered NSW U16s to an 18-16 State of Origin victory over Queensland in a man-of-the-match performance at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday, May 25.
Aitken was named as a reserve forward and started the game on the bench. But the Pambula Merimbula Bulldog was injected into the match after 20 minutes and he immediately made his presence felt.
The youngster played the remainder of the match in the second row, with the odd stint in the centre, and his standout performance did not go unnoticed as he was voted Man of the Match.
Aitken’s family, dad Andy, mum Jill and brothers Andrew, Aidan and Wade, made the trek to Queensland to watch Euan’s performance.
Aitken said the match was one of his best.
“I played in the forwards and had the odd run in the backs which was pretty good. It was great just to run out there and play in any position,” he said.
“The side was a good bunch of blokes from all over the place. It was a multi-cultural team and we played very well together.
“The atmosphere at the stadium was awesome and playing in front of such a large crowd was a really big buzz. It was the biggest crowed I’ve ever played in front of and probably one of the best games I’ve ever played.
“I was awarded the match ball and all my teammates signed it, so I’ve got something I can keep as a memento.”
Although first grade lost, NSW supporters can take heart from the performance of their generation-next.
The under 16s Maroons launched several raids at the NSW line in the dying stages of the match, but the Blues held on grimly, despite being reduced to 12 players after Addison Demetriou was sent off early in the second half.
Queensland raced to a 10-0 lead after 11 minutes through tries to winger Ryan Mitchell and second rower Luke Bateman, who backed up a break by fullback Paul Byrnes.
The Maroons defence looked impenetrable until late in the first half when NSW scored off a heavy weight of possession, with winger John Fomai steaming onto a cut-out pass to cross in the right corner.
When Blues hooker Brad Deitz burrowed over the tryline early in the second half, the scores were locked at 10-all.
NSW halfback Brendan Cox booted a penalty goal midway through the second half to give the visitors a 12-10 edge.
But Queensland’s numerical advantage was wasted in the next set, as Blues fullback Dylan Russell scored a superb long-range try.
With the home side trailing 18-10, the Queenslanders lifted and came back into the match following a try to interchange forward Jack Anderson with six minutes left, but they couldn’t crack the Blues 12-man defensive line again to snatch victory.
Young Newcastle forward Luke Yates was named Players Player, our own Euan Aitken was man of the match.
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