Women’s preview: York
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Wigan Warriors Women’s Betfred Women’s Super League Play-Off match against York City Knights Ladies.
The Warriors Women face York City Knights Ladies at Robin Park Arena on Sunday 5th September (3pm K.O.) in their second game of the Play-Offs.
Campaign so far
Following the regular season, a new table has formed with the Play-Offs results coming into action. The top five teams are all battling it out for a place in the Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final with the top four teams progressing to the Semi-Final stage after four games. The Warriors started their Play-Off campaign last week with a narrow defeat to Castleford Tigers Women.
Injury news
The Warriors are still without Alison Burows, Amy Boardman and Emily Stirzaker this week, as well as skipper Rachel Thompson who was forced from the field early last weekend with a dislocated knee and will now miss the remainder of the 2021 season.
Burrows and Boardman are improving slowly but are not yet in contention, Stirzaker trained this week and is hopeful to be available next week.
Head-to-Head
This will be the seventh meeting between the Warriors and the City Knights, having already faced off once in league competition this season, as well as meeting in the Challenge Cup earlier this year.
York have come away victorious on both occasions in 2021 having lost all four previous fixtures against Wigan.
Last four meetings:
- Wigan 4, York 12 (at Odsal Stadium, Bradford)
- York 30, Wigan 24 (at Mobile Rocket Stadium, Wakefield)
- Wigan 42, York 0
- York 0, Wigan 62
Summary:
- Wigan wins: 5
- York Wins: 2
Team news
Head coach Ratcliffe has named his 19-player squad to face York City Knights on Sunday afternoon.
1. Rebecca Greenfield
19. Anna Mary Davies
4. Georgia Wilson
14. Emily Baggaley
2. Leah Darbyshire
33. Stacey Greenwood
22. Clare Radford
8. Holly Speakman
24. Aimee Wood
10. Jade Gregory-Haselden
12. Paige Costello
11. Vanessa Temple
13. Victoria Molyneux
29. Freya Hellin
16. Lucy Baggaley
25. Beth Hayes
18. Megan Bragg
32. Kaitlin Hilton
26. Lauren Gilham
Coach quotes
Women’s boss Ratcliffe is expecting another close encounter this Sunday: “We haven’t focused much upon York this week really. Our focus has been on what we need to do to get the result in close games. In each of the close games we have been in this year we have come out on the wrong side of the result despite having opportunities to win the games.
“We have spent time focusing on the little things that make the difference in those situations. We expect another close tough encounter on Sunday.”
Fans were allowed back to watch the Women for the first time in almost two year’s last weekend at Robin Park Arena. On the atmosphere, he said: “It was great to have the crowd back and be at home last week, their support was fantastic. The girls would very much like to put on a performance and get the result for them this week and their support will really go a long way to helping fuel that effort.”
The head coach also provided an update on the injuries front: “We have had our fair share of injuries, which is probably inevitable really with all the disruptions and shorter pre-season. Unfortunately for us they’ve come at the business end.
“They’re all knee injuries so we will have a look with our physio and S&C to and put something in place to help build strength and stability in that area into next season. Rachel Thompson is the worst of the injuries, she unfortunately dislocated her knee last week and has a lengthy rehab process ahead but she will be back fighting fit next season. Losing our captain is obviously a big blow for us but I’m sure the girls will pull together and her absence will have a galvanising effect on the others wanting to well for her.
“Amy Boardman is having a scan next week, she is having some trouble that we thought was fairly minor ligament damage. It should’ve recovered by now but hasn’t really improved. Alison Burrows has a cartilage and alignment issue that is improving slowly and Emily Stirzaker trained this week, we are hopeful she will be in contention next week.
“The signing of Stacey Greenwood came at just the right time in that sense. I thought she was excellent on debut last week.”
Ticket Info
Tickets are available on the day to see the Warriors Women take on York Ladies at Robin Park Arena. Tickets are priced at £5 for Adults and £3 for Concessions. Please note it is cash only.
Wigan TV
Highlights and the full game will be available to watch on Wigan TV following the result. Not a subscriber? Find out more HERE.
Twitch
The game will be streamed live on Twitch, with no subscription required. Click HERE to watch from 3pm.
Social media
Wigan fans can keep up-to-date with every piece of the action via our social media channels and website.
- Twitter (@WiganWarriorsRL) – live game updates.
- Instagram (@wiganwarriorsrl) – live game updates
- Facebook (Wigan Warriors) – live matchday information and reaction.
- Website (www.wiganwarriors.com) – post-match reaction including match report and thoughts of head coach Kris Ratcliffe.
