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Field goal sinks gallant Knights in NRLW debut

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Maddie Studdon will always remember her first field goal.

Aged 27 and already an NSW and Australia halfback, she chose the perfect moment to nail her first one-pointer in any competitive game.

With 30 seconds to go in Parramatta’s maiden NRLW game, in the initial stand-alone season, to claim the Eels’ inaugural victory.

And, all of it coming with the first successful field goal in NRLW competition, kicking the Eels to a 13-12 win over Newcastle at the Knights’ home ground.

“It’s a time for everything,” Studdon said.

“I just said to my forwards just block me and I just had to get that pass and I was going for it.

“I was just very proud to be a part of this club.

“And, we’ve worked very hard and obviously the hard work paid off with the field goal.”

Studdon’s kick was a lesson in game management.

With the teams locked at 12-all for the final 17 minutes, Newcastle failed to set up for one despite several sets on Parramatta’s line and even handed the ball over once without kicking on the last.

In fitting fashion, captain Romy Teitzel scored the maiden try for the Knights’ NRLW side.

In a quick-fire raid down the right-hand side, halfback Tahlulah Tillett found a flying Teitzel who dummied and went herself close to the line.

The Eels looked to have hit back quickly, but a try was overruled by the bunker for an obstruction.

On the stroke of half-time, the Eels posted their first try with Tiana Penitani crossing the stripe.

Studdon added the two points to level the scores at 6-all heading into the break.

The Knights then jumped out of the blocks again in the second period.

The red and blue re-took the lead after a crash play short of the line sent experienced forward Phoebe Desmond charging over.

On the 44th minute mark, a rampaging Desmond made no mistake close to the tryline to hand the lead back to the Knights.

But, a hard-running Simaima Taufu made her way to the line for the Eels to bring the scores back to level, at 12-all, heading into the final 10 minutes to set up an enthralling final stage.

Studdon needed just one shot in return, setting up early in the set, recovering from a poor pass out of dummy-half and balancing herself to kick after a stoppage from 15 metres out.

“It’s just composure and reading the game very well,” she said.

“We knew it was a tight game and we knew it was always going to be a tight game. 

“And, that’s what I just said to my middle, I just need you to work to a point and get me down there.”

The one-pointer was also a product of coach Dean Widders, who had ordered Studdon to take a one-shot drop goal under pressure at the end of training on Saturday.

“We’ve said for a while that games will be won by field goals in these early rounds and we have it on day one,” he said.

“She had one attempt to do yesterday.

“Put her under pressure, put her in a situation. I said you have one field goal, get it. 

“She nailed it yesterday and then 24 hours later, she now has another one to win the game.”

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