Warriors Women defeat Warrington

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Women defeat Warrington Wolves Women at Robin Park Arena.
• Anna Davies crossed in either half as the Warriors scored four tries to return to winning ways.
• FT | Wigan Warriors Women 20-12 Warrington Wolves Women.

Wigan Warriors Women returned to winning ways with a 20-12 victory over Warrington Wolves Women at Robin Park Arena.

Tries from Anna Davies and Rachel Thompson put the Warriors in front at the break after a closely-fought first half which also saw Abigail Johnston and Claire Mullaney cross for the visitors.

Quickfire tries from Davies and Holly Speakman at the start of the second half was enough for the Warriors, despite Molly Jones being sent to the sin-bin in the final 15 minutes.

Report

Off the back of an infringement for offside, the visitors worked the ball wide to Abigail Johnston who dived over in the corner to open the scoring after five minutes.

The Warriors responded strongly, and after Beri Salihi almost set Kaitlin Hilton up in the corner, Anna Davies capitalised on a loose ball before powering her way through the defensive line to sprint in under the posts. Molly Jones added the extras to give the Warriors a 6-4 lead after 15 minutes.

An even contested unfolded at Robin Park Arena, and as the Warriors fell short on multiple attacking visits, Warrington regained the lead when Claire Mullaney forced her way over from close range. The conversion was missed, keeping the visitors’ advantage to 8-6.

Wigan replied four minutes before the break when Rachel Thompson accelerated her way through a gap in the Warrington defensive line to finish off a fantastic solo run. The conversion attempt was missed, as the Warriors maintained their 10-8 lead at the interval.

Both sides completed a set without reward in the opening stages after the restart, but two tries in two minutes from the Warriors saw their lead extend to 20-8 after 55 minutes.

First, patient play from the Warriors saw play worked wide to Thompson who picked Davies out with an excellently executed looping pass to allow the centre to dive over for her second of the afternoon, before Alison Burrows set Holly Speakman up to crash over beneath the sticks with Jodie Morris adding the extras.

Warrington hit back shortly after the hour mark when Shannon Stephens used power and pace to crash over on the wing, however, the visitors were unable to further reduce the points difference from the tee.

Despite being reduced to 12 when Jones was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on 68 minutes, the Warriors, with the help of a fantastic recovery tackle from Salihi, returned to winning ways.

Gallery

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

Interchanges: Alison Burrows, Sarah Bardsley, Bethany Hayes, Jodie Morris.

18th Player: Sinead Doria.

Tries: Davies (14′, 52′), Thompson (36′), Speakman (55′).

Goals: Jones (1/3), Morris (1/1).

Warrington Wolves Women: Shannon Stephens, Abigail Johnston, Chloe Kerrigan, Katy-May Williams, Rebecca Nixon, Michelle Davis, Charlize Magraw, Keira McCosh, Ellie Jelves, Fern Davies, Georgia Westwood, Kacy Haley, Abby Latchford.

Interchanges: Claire Mullaney, Emily Downs, Kimberley Seddon, Danielle Bound.

18th Player: Amy Daniels.

Tries: Johnston (5′), Mullaney (27′), Stephens (63′).

Goals: Davis (0/3).

Referee: Carl Hughes.