FORMER-Gerringong Lions Jack Murchie and Reuben Garrick have both starred in the under 20s New South Wales side's victory against Queensland on Wednesday.
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Both Murchie and Garrick scored tries in the 30-16 win for the Blues at Suncop Stadium, along with fellow Blues Jai Field, Blake Lawrie and Nat Butcher.
19-year-old Murchie, who started his career with Milton-Ulladulla was named man-of-the-match in the win for the Danny Buderus coached side.
“The game was one of the fastest I've ever played in and there was some great intensity out there,” Murchie said.
“I was happy with my performance - I had a goal of bringing aggression and and urgency and I think I achieved that.
“It means so much to me to get named as man-of-the-match knowing I did the jersey and my state proud but I couldn't have done it without the boys around me - we all bonded really well and it was awesome to get the win with all of them.”
The victory for the Blues was the sixth straight in the annual encounter – keeping their unbeaten record intact.
“It was massive and means so much to keep the winning streak going and doing up at Suncorp Stadium was great,” Murchie said.
“I’m over the moon – there’s nothing better than getting a win over Queensland on their home turf.”
Trailing by six at the break, the Blues fightback was led by Group 7 product Field, from the Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles.
In the 45th, Field used his fleet-of-foot and speed to run 45m to level the scores at 16-all.
After Field slotted a penalty kick, to put the Blues up by two, Murchie, who plays for the Canberra Raiders in the National Youth Competition, extended the Blues' lead in the 63rd minute, running through a huge hole in Queensland's defensive line.
Nat Butcher put the icing on the cake for the visitors in the 80th minute, crashing over to give NSW a 30-16 lead, with the young Blues keeping Queensland scoreless in the second half.
“The game was very physical and fast paced in the opening stages,” Garrick said.
“With Queensland scoring early points, it put our backs against the wall and luckily we scored two tries just before half-time.
“The second half was much different from the first, with our halves stepping-up and controlling the tempo of the match and we really started to roll through them.
“I thought I played well and helped the forwards out as much as I could.”
Garrick, who plays with the St George-Illawarra Dragons in the NYC, ranks this right up there with the highlights of his career.
“It was unbelievable to run onto Suncorp Stadium in a Blues jersey and getting a win on their home turf is even better,’ he said.
“I am over the moon with the gutsy effort from all of our team and to come away with the win and keep the undefeated streak in the under 20s is amazing.”
Re-live all the action here: http://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2017/05/30/live_stream_under_20.html