Women lose to Leeds

• Wigan Warriors Women lose against Leeds Rhinos Women at Victoria Park.
• The Warriors suffered their first defeat of the season in the top of the table clash.
• FT | Wigan Warriors 6-28 Leeds Rhinos.

Wigan Warriors Women suffered their first defeat of the 2021 season in a tough top of the table clash against Leeds Rhinos on Sunday afternoon.

A single try from Vicky Molyneux, converted by Amy Boardman in the first half, was not enough for the Warriors on the day.

It was an entertaining start to the tie, with Leeds threatening early and being held up over the line, before Wigan had their first real chance in the game as Emily Baggaley went close on the right edge before Jade Gregory-Haselden was also held up over the line. 

It was the visitors, however, who went over for the first of the afternoon, Fran Goldthorp making light work of the defence to go over, converted by Courtney Winfield-Hill for a 6-0 lead for the Rhinos after ten minutes. The Rhinos continued to test the Warriors defence, but they held firm to force a couple of goal line drop outs.

Wigan came close a few minutes later, as Kaitlin Hilton looked to be away on the left wing but the referee pulled the play back for a forward pass. A few simple errors from the Cherry and Whites invited Leeds into Wigan territory and the persistence paid off as Tara Moxon went over to put Leeds 10-0 up.

The Warriors responded well, Becky Greenfield got the ball down over the whitewash but the referee said no try for a double movement, before Rachel Thompson and Hilton combined to go close again. Wigan finally got their reward in the 29th minute as Alison Burrows sent Molyneux through a gap, the loose forward side stepping Caitlin Beevers to go under the sticks, Boardman converting to reduce the score to 10-6. 

The visitors extended their advantage just short of half time as Goldthorp got herself a second effort on the board, converted by Winfield-Hill to see the scores at 16-6 at the break.

The second half started in similar fashion as both teams went tough at each other from the restart. Molyneux and Vanessa Temple were constantly a threat for Wigan, always looking for a break to get a foot in the game but the Rhinos back line was equal to it.

Eloise Hayward went over for Leeds in the 54th minute, racing away to score and the effort converted again for 22-6. Baggaley and Molyneux linked up as the Warriors went agonisingly close, but the resulting play afterwards saw a pass go straight into the hands of Tara Moxon who went the length of the field for a simple score, converted for 28-6 in Leeds favour. 

Wigan continued to battle until the very end, always looking for an opportunity but never quite finding one. A Winfield-Hill kick on the last was charged down in brave fashion by Anna Mary Davies to get the Warriors back in possession, but the move came to nothing.

The final whistle went with Leeds coming out with the 28-6 victory in a big battle at the top of the table which saw Wigan fall short for the first time this season.

Wigan Warriors: Rebecca Greenfield, Anna Mary Davies, Emily Baggaley, Vanessa Temple. Kaitlin Hilton, Rachel Thompson, Alison Burrows, Holly Speakman, Carys Marsh, Jade Gregory-Haselden, Amy Boardman, Victoria Molyneux, Lucy Baggaley.

Interchanges: Freya Hellin, Emma Dwyer, Aimee Cleaver, Eleanor Dainty.

Tries: Molyneux (29’)

Goals: Boardman 1/1

Leeds Rhinos: Caitlin Beevers, Tara Moxon, Fran Goldthorp, Eloise Hayward, Sophie Robinson, Hanna Butcher, Courtney Winfield-Hill, Zoe Hornby, Keara Bennett, Aimee Staveley, Chloe Kerrigan, Elle Frain, Orla McCallion.

Interchanges: Tasha Gaines, Amy Johnson, Lucy Murray, Danika Priim.

Tries: Goldthorp (10’, 36’), Moxon (20’, 62’), Hayward (54’)

Goals: Winfield-Hill 4/5