Warriors Women beat Bulls

• Wigan Warriors Women beat Bradford Bulls in their opening group game of The Challenge Cup.
• Warriors scored 8 tries on the day as 7 Women made their competitive debuts for the Club.
• FT | Bradford Bulls 6-44 Wigan Warriors.

Wigan Warriors Women got their Challenge Cup campaign off to a good start as they beat Bradford Bulls on Sunday evening in the first of their group games.

Georgia Wilson, playing at full back, was instrumental to the Warriors attack. Wigan crossed for four scores in the first half, including one on debut for Gabi Leigh, one for Kaitlin Hilton a double from Wilson.

Wigan scored four more in the second half as Anna Davies opened her account for 2022, forwards Holly Speakman and Beth Hayes crashed over whilst Carys Marsh also made a great dart to get her name on the scoresheet.

The Warriors also saw 7 players make their competitive debut in Cherry & White on Sunday with Gabi Leigh, Ruth Thomas, Ellie Costello, Megan Buckley, Rachael House, Jodie Morris and Sophie Clarke all featuring.

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It was a fantastic return to action for the Warriors Women, as debutant Gabi Leigh crashed over after just 4 minutes. After going right and not getting any reward, the Warriors shifted left to create a good overlap to see Leigh over for the opener, the conversion from the left touchline was just short from Wilson but Wigan led 4-0 early on.

Vicky Molyneux was putting in the hard yards as she repeatedly put in testing runs against the Bradford defence. Former Warrior Amy Boardman knocked on shortly afterwards, the resulting play saw Georgia Wilson dart through a gap on the left edge to get her first score of 2022, converting her own effort for 10-0.

A sustained period of set completion from both sides followed as Bradford looked to get some points on the board, but it was Wigan again who got the next score. This time Kaitlin Hilton teaming up with Georgia Wilson on the right wing to go over, the effort converted again by Wilson and it was 16-0.

Bradford did get on the scoresheet just moments later. The Warriors looked to be on their way in again but a great interception from Hannah Donald saw the winger add the pace to go in under the sticks, converting her own effort to peg the scores at 16-6 after 20 minutes.

The Warriors continued to pile on the pressure, though there were a few stoppages in play for on field injuries, however none serious and play resumed. Georgia Wilson bagged her brace in the 28th minute in a fantastic individual effort to get through a gap on half way and race away to score, adding her third successful conversion to make is 22-6.

Wigan had plenty more chances to extend their lead before half time as they continued to ask questions Bradford held firm to see the scores at 22-6 to Wigan at half time.

It was a frantic start to the second period for Wigan, Vicky Molyneux once again putting in some good meters reached for the goal line but the referee adjudged that she was just short. Shortly afterwards, Molyneux was forced from the field with a knee injury, unable to return for the remainder of the match.

Anna Davies extended Wigan’s lead in the 46th minute, commanding the right wing to get the score, the touchline conversion was just short from Wilson as Wigan held the 26-6 lead.

Wigan were relentless in attack, and it was just a few minutes later before they were in again. This time Holly Speakman bulldozed her way over to score under the uprights, Wilson converted for 32-6. The short kick off from Bradford that followed was allowed to bounce, Wilson kicked the ball on to chase but was taken out off the ball to deny what would have been a sure score for the full back.

Beth Hayes was agonisingly close to getting over in the follow-up, crashing onto the ball and crashing over the goal line, however the ball was spilled in the process and Bradford were relieved. The Bulls continued to find a way up the field but the Warriors were fierce in defensive and didn’t allow them much time on the ball as they struggled to find a way over.

Wales International Carys Marsh was next to add her name to the list of scorers, running a great line through the Bulls defence to dive over for Wigan’s 7th of the evening, converted for 38-6.

After her spilled effort earlier on, Hayes looked determined to get her chance again and it did in the 64th minute. Holly Speakman, in fine form on Sunday put in another great run, before the second ball came to Hayes who put the ball down. Wilson added her 6th conversion of the afternoon to roundd off the scoring and see Wigan take a 44-6 win in their opening group game of the 2022 Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup.

Bradford Bulls: Emily Heaps, Lily Williams, Alice Fisher, Katie Whelan, Hannah Donald, Millie Bell, Amy Boardman, Abi Pinder, Chloe Wainwright-Morley, Sam Herrick, Jamie-Leigh Scott, Jess Harrap, Ebony Haley.

Subs: Hollie Burton, Anne-Marie Sayle, Franchesca Sacco, Hannah McPherson.

Tries: Donald (20′)

Goals: Donald 1/1

Wigan Warriors: Georgia Wilson, Anna Davies, Kaitlin Hilton, Gabi Leigh, Ruth Thomas, Ellie Costello, Carys Marsh, Freya Hellin, Emma Dwyer, Jade Gregory-Haselden, Victoria Molyneux, Holly Speakman, Beth Hayes.

Subs: Megan Buckley, Rachael House, Jodie Morris, Sophie Clarke.

Tries: Leigh (4′), Wilson (8′, 28′), Hilton (19′), Davies (46′), Speakman (51′), Marsh (60′), Hayes (63′)

Goals: Wilson 6/8

Match Gallery:

Next up for Wigan Warriors Women, it’s their second game of The Challenge Cup group stages as they face York City Knights Ladies at the LNER Stadium in York on Sunday 20th March, 12:15pm K.O.