Queensland edge Origin Game I

Queensland have continued their State of Origin dominance with a slender 4-6 victory in Game I in Sydney.

The Maroons have won nine of the past 10 series and they have got off to a good start in 2016 with the closest of wins at ANZ Stadium.

Queensland enjoyed more possession and a slew of penalties in the first quarter.

In the 15th minute Jonathan Thurston kicked a penalty goal to make it 0-2.

NSW then forced a number of goal-line drop-outs. After the fourth, James Maloney held up the play with a dummy and put Boyd Cordner over to score on 25 minutes.

Adam Reynolds missed the conversion but the Blues had the lead 4-2.

Just before half-time and the Maroons responded. Queensland had an overlap on the right and quick hands fed Dane Gagai who dived over.

Thurston couldn’t convert from the sideline but the Maroons were vitally in front 4-6 at the break.

In the first 40 minutes both teams had completed 17 of 19 sets each, with Queensland making 10 more tackles in total and missing three more tackles than NSW.

On 49 minutes Queensland utility Michael Morgan left the field with a head knock and did not return.

Both teams got in the grind and clear breaks were rare.

Josh Morris got over the line in the 65th minute but the video referee ruled no try. The Maroons held on to their slim 4-6 lead.

NSW kept up the pressure but could not crack the Queensland wall in the dieing stages.