Women’s reach Challenge Cup Semi Final

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Women defeat Huddersfield Giants Women.
• Warriors score nine tries to advance to the Semi Final of the Challenge Cup.
• FT | Wigan Warriors Women 46-10 Huddersfield Giants Women.

Wigan Warriors Women progress to the Semi Final of the Challenge Cup after scoring nine tries in a 46-10 win over Huddersfield Giants.

Sinead Doria made her first appearance of 2023 after recovering from injury, whilst Rachel Thompson made her second appearance of the campaign following a short lay-off with a back injury.

Report

Warriors came out firing in front of a healthy crowd at Robin Park Arena, and Thompson marked her return to action with her first try of the season after she collected Mary Coleman’s offload to touch down with Molly Jones adding the extras from the tee after five minutes.

A second try came three minutes later when Kaitlin Hilton stepped perfectly through a gap in the Giants defence before accelerating away to touch down under the posts. Jones was successful with the extra two points, to give Wigan a 12-0 lead with eight minutes on the clock.

From the restart Huddersfield forced the drop out, and after a strong forward carry, Bethan Oates picked up to scoot over from close range. Ellie Thompson further reduced the score to 12-6 after 12 minutes.

The lively start continued as Wigan’s defence stood firm to prevent Ana Cassama Da Silva from powering over, before Grace Banks was held up after breaking through the Huddersfield line.

Wigan extended their lead further after capitalising on a Giants knock on when the ball was worked wide from the scrum to Anna Davies who accelerated clear down the wing to score after half an hour.

Warriors then scored twice in the final five minutes. First Jones held off an attempted tackle to score, before Banks ran the length of the pitch to touch down between the sticks after she fantastically caught a high kick in the in-goal area. Jones added the extras to give Wigan a 26-6 half time lead.

The Cherry and Whites started the second half in identical fashion as Victoria Molyneux added a fifth try when she dummied back inside to dive over two minutes after the restart.

Warriors had to wait until after the hour for their next score, and it came when Coleman used her power to hold off the tackle before crashing over. Sinead Doria, who had taken over kicking duties, saw her effort rebound off the post.

The lead was increased to 40-6 when Doria stepped inside to offload to the supporting Hilton who was able to stretch the ball over for her second try of the afternoon. Doria was successful in adding the extras from out wide with 68 minutes on the clock.

Wigan continued to dominate and a ninth try was added when Holly Speakman, who was named the Sportsman’s Player of the Match, forced her way through the Huddersfield defensive line to ground. Doria made no mistake with the kick, to give Warriors a 46-6 lead heading into the final 10 minutes.

Huddersfield added a consolation try with the final play of the game when Abbie Millward dummied her way over. Giants were unable to add the extras, as Warriors booked their place in the last four in style.

Gallery:

Wigan Warriors: Beri Salihi, Rebecca Greenfield, Kaitlin Hilton, Molly Jones, Anna Davies, Grace Banks, Carys Marsh, Holly Speakman, Emma Dwyer, Mary Coleman, Victoria Molyneux, Rachel Thompson.

Interchange: Beth Hayes, Jodie Morris, Lucy Johnson, Sinead Doria.

18th Player: Cailey Miller.

Tries: Thompson (5′), Hilton (8′, 68′), Davies (28′), Jones (37′), Banks (39′), Molyneux (42′), Coleman (64′), Speakman (70′).

Goals: Jones 3/6, Doria 2/3.

Huddersfield Giants: Amy Bennett, Hannah Goddard, Megan Preston, Kelly Morgan, Amelia Brown, Frankie Townend, Rebekah Grady, Emma Wilkinson, Bethan Oates, Sienna McPherson, Ana Cassama Da Silva, Ellie Thompson, Katy Fisher.

Interchange: Abbie Millward, Albany Coates, Emily Simister, Molly Davidson.

18th Player: Evie Carrington-Hobson

Tries: Oates (12′)

Goals: Thompson 1/1, Townend 0/1.