Women lose out in Challenge Cup

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors fall short against Featherstone Rovers on Sunday evening.
• Kerrie Evans and Georgia Wilson scored in the first half but it wasn’t enough to see the Warriors to victory.
• FT | Featherstone Rovers 12-10 Wigan Warriors.

Wigan Warriors Women missed out an a place in the Challenge Cup Semi Finals as they fell short at the hands of Featherstone Rovers on Sunday evening.

Natalie Carr opened the scoring for the hosts, before Wigan pegged back two scored from Kerrie Evans on debut and full back Georgia Wilson. Brogan Churm crashed over just before half time though to level the scores at 10-10 at the break.

Both sides went head-to-head in the second half in a blistering Challenge Cup tie but it was a penalty goal from Katie Hepworth that made the difference to see Featherstone through to the Semi Finals.

Report

The Warriors had three debuts in the game as Kerrie Evans started on the wing with Mary Coleman and Abbie Singleton making appearances off the bench for their first game in Cherry & White.

Featherstone had the better of the opening exchanges and they reaped the rewards as an overlap on the left edge saw Natalie Carr crash over for the opening score, Hepworth couldn’t add the extras but the hosts had the early lead.

Featherstone on the front foot continued to ask the questions and Brogan Churm was almost over shortly after, but the Rovers captain couldn’t take the ball in and Wigan had the ball back in hand.

The Warriors had their first real opportunity in the 10th minute as Georgia Wilson sent Gabi Leigh through a gap but strong defence from Rovers saw Leigh held up just before the line and Featherstone got the ball back in the resulting play with a loose pass.

Wigan pegged one back in the 17th minute as a looping pass to the wing saw Georgia Wilson send Kerrie Evans over for a score on her debut. The conversion attempt from the far touchline didn’t quite have the length and the scores were level at 4-4.

Wigan got in front for the first time in the tie as a try saving tackle on their own goal line saw Kerrie Evans race away before being brought down by Fran Copley, Wilson picked the ball up from dummy half and weaved her way to score under the sticks and convert her own effort for 10-4.

After the half hour mark, Featherstone tested Wigan again and a play running left looked to send Natalie Carr over for her second but she couldn’t keep hold of the ball. Featherstone were awarded a penalty though and Featherstone had another full set at the Wigan line from short range and Brogan Churm got the ball down, converted by Hepworth to square up the scores once more.

A tough second half saw both teams struggle to complete their sets as both looked to get ahead in the game. It was Featherstone who got themselves in front in the 53rd minute as Brogan Churm was help up over the line the referee awarded a penalty which Hepworth slotted over to make it 12-10 in Featherstone’s favour.

On the hour mark Wigan were agonisingly close as both Gabi Leigh and Georgia Wilson came close to going over but Featherstone backed up in defence to deny the Warriors and keep their slight advantage.

With 10 minutes to go Kerrie Evans went on a great run as she looked to get the Warriors up the field, she was brought down and Wigan protested for a dangerous throw but the referee adjudged it as a knock on from Wigan as Featherstone got the ball back in hand but Wigan stood firm to survive the set.

With the clock ticking down Wigan were under pressure to get the ball upfield, a good cross field kick from Georgia Wilson was collected by Kerrie Evans but last ditch defence from Rovers saw the young winger wrapped up and it was enough to see Featherstone to the win and through to the Semi Finals.

Gallery:

Featherstone Rovers: Francessca Copley, Ellie Lamb, Chloe Billington, Gabby Harrison, Natalie Carr, Olivia Grace, Jess Matthews, Shanelle Mannion, Charley Blackburn, Brogan Churm, Amie Backhouse, Maddie Hirst, Katie Hepworth.

Interchanges: Brogan Kennedy, Kirsty Duffield, Lucy Attree, Hailey Swann.

Tries: Carr (6′), Churm (35′)

Goals: Hepworth 2/3

Wigan Warriors: Georgia Wilson, Anna Davies, Kaitlin Hilton, Gabi Leigh, Kerrie Evans, Ellie Costello, Carys Marsh, Freya Hellin, Emma Dwyer, Jade Gregory-Haselden, Rachael House, Holly Speakman, Sinead Doria.

Interchanges: Abbie Singleton, Mary Coleman, Jodie Morris, Beth Hayes.

Tries: Evans (17′), Wilson (25′)

Goals: Wilson 1/2