Women’s Academy win at Leeds

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Women win against Leeds Rhinos Women at Weetwood Sports Park.
• Grace Banks scored a hat-trick to help Wigan on their way to a big win away at Leeds.
• FT | Leeds Rhinos Women’s Academy 10-32 Wigan Warriors Women’s Academy.

Wigan Warriors Women’s Academy scored six tries in a dominant performance against Leeds Rhinos on Wednesday evening.

Beri Salihi fired Wigan into an immediate lead, scoring in the first minute before Grace Banks added a double before half time. Leeds struck back after the restart during a pressure period but Wigan responded as Grace Banks registered her hat-trick before Molly Jones added to the tally. Luci McColm scored with the last play of the game to confirm a 32-10 win.

Report

It was a blistering start for the Warriors as Beri Salihi broke away to race over half way, before cutting inside to score under the sticks, the effort converted by Emma Knowles for an early 6-0 lead.

Wigan continued to pile on the pressure, not allowing Leeds much time on the ball and forcing multiple errors from the Rhinos. They reaped the rewards in the 14th minute as another penalty saw Wigan start an attack on half way, the ball came to Grace Banks who weaved her way through to the uprights, another conversion from Knowles made it 12-0.

Leeds responded 10 minutes later, a penalty for the Rhinos allowed them deep into Wigan territory and the ball was shifted right for Tilly Davies to skip past her defender and get the ball down, the conversion attempt was missed as the scores sat at 12-4 to Wigan.

Banks added a second effort in the 32nd minute after linking up with Eva Hunter on the left edge to skip inside and race clear to score close to the uprights again, a successful conversion from Knowles put Wigan 18-4 up at the interval.

Wigan flew into action again after the break as Kerrie Evans was stopped just short of the whitewash, before Salihi was held up to deny Wigan an additional score.

Leeds were next on the scoresheet as they pushed their way upfield to see Caitlin Casey muscle her way over, the conversion from Gittins was on target this time as the Rhinos reduced the deficit to 10-18.

Wigan were under further pressure shortly afterwards as Cerys Jones was sent to the sin bin for a late hit on a passer and with the player advantage Leeds looked to be in at the corner but an exceptional cover tackle from Eva Hunter denied them the score.

The numbers were even just afterwards as Wainhouse was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle. Just short of the hour mark Grace Banks completed her hat-trick after another fantastic solo run saw her ground the ball. Knowles made it four from four with the boot to put Wigan out to 24-10.

With both teams back up to full numbers, Wigan were in again as Molly Jones got her name on the scoresheet. Having made a great break shortly before, this time the move came off as she darted through the gap to put the ball down. The conversion was just short and it was 28-10.

With the game coming to a close, Wigan finished off the evening as Luci McColm latched onto the ball on the left edge to go in at the corner, the conversion attempt from the touchline didn’t have the legs but with the referee calling time Wigan took home the 32-10 win.

Leeds Rhinos Women: Evie Cousins, Faye Barraclough, Sophie Oram, Mayzi Carter-Townend, Tilly Davies, Caitlin Casey, Keira Gittins, Ellie Mae Wainhouse, Leah McFarlane, Tullyanne Flint, Tilly Jae Brown, Alice Abbiss, Emily Fitzpatrick.

Interchange: Lauren Exley, Summa Hunter, Lilliebelle Hunter, Julia Lowery.

Tries: Davies (24′), Casey (48′)

Goals: Gittins 1/2

Sin Bin: Wainhouse (53′)

Wigan Warriors Women: Beri Salihi, Sydney Alderman-Smith, Olivia Boyham, Kerrie Evans, Luci McColm, Grace Banks, Emma Knowles, Cerys Jones, Abbie Singleton, Georgia Lake, Lucie Sams, Emma Davies, Eva Hunter.

Interchange: Charlotte Nixon, Jodie Morris, Sophie Morris, Molly Jones, Sophie Clarke, Lucy Johnson, Beth Hayes.

Tries: Salihi (1′), Banks (14, 32′, 57′), M.Jones (65′), McColm (79′)

Goals: Knowles 4/6

Sin Bin: C. Jones (51′)