Women lose to Knights

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Women fall to defeat on the road to York City Knights Ladies.
• The Warriors Women were held scoreless in their second group game of the Challenge Cup.
• FT | York City Knights Ladies 46-0 Wigan Warriors Women.

York City Knights took a comfortable win against Wigan Warriors Women in the second group game of the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup on Sunday afternoon.

York went over for three scores in the first forty as the Warriors backed up some good defence. The Warriors struggled to contain the Knights in the second half though, as they ran in 30 unanswered points to take the win going into the final group stage round next weekend.

Report

The Warriors were without Vicky Molyneux who left the field against Bradford in group game one last weekend, as Olivia Harborow and India Hickey became the latest players to make their debut for the Women’s side.

It was a difficult start for the Warriors as York capitalised on a early error at the play the ball. The Knights started a full set from 20m away and after a shift left, they had the overlap to send Savannah Andrade over for the opening score, converted by Stanley for 6-0.

A high tackle on Holly Speakman a few minutes later allowed Wigan some good yards with a full set from 30m out. Gabi Leigh put in some good footwork as she made an effort for the goal line but was stopped short with some good defence from York.

The Warriors threatened on a couple of occasions with the score still at 6-0, Georgia Wilson broke from full back but was stopped by Stanley just past half way as York saw out another defensive set. A minute later Wilson then sent Gabi Leigh through a gap, she raced away but was stopped short once more before Wigan came up with the error to give the ball back to the hosts deep in their own half.

York got their reward for their persistent attack as they extended their lead in the 28th minute, a kick on the last from Grace Field was allowed to bounce in goal for Dodd to pick the ball up and touch down, the effort was converted by Stanley to make it 12-0 to the hosts with 10 minutes to go until half time.

Wigan looked for a way out of their own half but York were fierce in their defence, they forced a drop out by running Georgia Wilson back into her in-goal. York capitalised on the opportunity as they collected the ball from the drop out to run it right and send Ashleigh Hyde over for the Knights third try of the afternoon. Stanley couldn’t add the extras this time but they took the 16-0 lead into the break.

Hollie Dodd went over for the Knights from the restart, the youngster carving open a gap to step inside and score under the sticks, Stanley added the two-pointer to put York to 22-0. Hollie Dodd completed her hat-trick in the 46th minute as Stanley added a fourth conversion for 28-0.

Wigan struggled to get into the game with the deficit against them, a high shot on Emma Dwyer in the 54th minute allowed the Warriors some time inside the York half but the set came to nothing as Wigan came up with an error to hand possession back to York once more.

Sinead Peach added two in eight minutes to extended York’s lead further as the game started to slip away from the Warriors, with both efforts converted for 40-0 as we entered the final 10 minutes of play.

Liv Whitehead rounded off the afternoon to race away and score under the posts to make it 46-0 and hand Wigan a defeat in Challenge Cup group game two.

Match Gallery:

York City Knights Ladies: Tara Stanley, Kelsey Gentles, Savannah Andrade, Tamzin Renouf, Ashleigh Hyde, Georgie Hethertington, Katie Langan, Grace Field, Sinead Peach, Jasmine Bell, Hollie Dodd, Olivia Wood, Rhiannion Marshall.

Interchanges: Daisy Sanderson, Emma Kershaw, Liv Whitehead, Bettie Lambert, Emma Kershaw, Liv Whitehead.

Tries: Andrade (4′), Dodd (28′, 41′, 46′), Hyde (35′), Peach (60′, 68′), Whitehead (79′)

Goals: Stanley 5/6, Whitehead 2/2

Wigan Warriors Women: Georgia Wilson, Anna Davies, Gabi Leigh, Kaitlin Hilton, Ruth Thomas, Beth Hayes, Carys Marsh, Jodie Morris, Emma Dwyer, Freya Hellin, Rachael House, Jade Gregory-Haselden, Holly Speakman.

Interchanges: Olivia Harborow, Sophie Clarke, Megan Buckley, India Hickey.

The Warriors return to Robin Park Arena for the first time in 2022 as they host Dewsbury Moor in their final group game fixture in the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup next Sunday 27th March. Season Ticket Holders can gain FREE entry to the fixture, with non-Season Ticket Holders priced at £5 Adults and £3 Concessions.