Women defeated in derby

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Women were beaten narrowly by St Helens Women at Robin Park Arena.
• Despite a second half try from Anna Davies to reduce the points difference, the Warriors fell short in a spirited display.
• FT | Wigan Warriors Women 4-12 St Helens Women.

Wigan Warriors Women fell to a 12-4 defeat to St Helens Women in a hard-fought contest at Robin Park Arena.

Laureane Biville started at centre as she made her first appearance for the Warriors since re-signing for the remainder of the 2023 season.

Despite Anna Davies’ second half try, the Warriors fell short after Saints scored through Faye Gaskin and Phoebe Hook in the opening 40 minutes.

Report

The Warriors were forced into defending their own try line in the opening stages, and despite keeping Saints out in the first set, the visitors worked the ball wide to Gaskin who dummied her way through a gap to score. Amy Taylor added the extras to kick Saints into a 6-0 lead after seven minutes.

Wigan responded positively to going behind, and after back-to-back penalties for dissent and offside, the Warriors pinned Saints to their try line but the visitors defended the kick to survive.

An intense battle unfolded at Robin Park Arena, and after successive big hits from Mary Coleman and Grace Banks to force the knock on, the Warriors broke forward through Biville and Beri Salihi, however, Saints were equal once more in defence.

As the weather conditions worsened, Saints advanced 20m out before quick passes from left to right created space for Hook to dive over. Taylor was accurate once more from the tee to increase the visitors’ advantage to 12-0 after 30 minutes.

Despite trailing 12-0 at the break, the Warriors restarted strongly as big tackles from Molly Jones and Victoria Molyneux was followed up with a stray pass into touch to gift Wigan possession 35m out.

The impressive start continued, and after forcing a knock on half way, a strong carry from Beville took the Warriors into dangerous territory but nothing followed as Saints regained possession on the final tackle.

The Warriors continued to apply pressure to the Saints defence, and after a strong forward carry took Wigan 10m out on the final tackle, the ball was worked swiftly out wide to Davies who powered through multiple tacklers to score. The resulting kick was narrowly wide, as the Warriors trailed 12-4 with 20 minutes remaining.

As injury stoppages and handling errors halted Wigan’s momentum, the Cherry and Whites were forced into defending their try line as Saints looked to add a third try in the closing stages.

Despite a strong last ditch tackle from the Warriors to force a knock on with minutes to go, the referee’s whistle brought the game to an end as Wigan were beaten in a valiant performance.

Gallery

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

Interchanges: Sinead Doria, Sarah Bardsley, Lucy Johnson, Cerys Jones.

18th Player: Rebecca Greenfield.

Tries: Davies (60′).

Goals: Salihi (0/1).

St Helens Women: Zoe Harris, Phoebe Hook, Erin Stott, Eboni Partington, Rebecca Rotherham, Amy Taylor, Faye Gaskin, Chantelle Crowl, Katie Mottershead, Philippa Birchall, Naomi Williams, Shona Hoyle, Lucie Sams.

Interchanges: Tara Jones, Vicky Whitfield, Darcy Stott, Georgia Sutherland.

18th Player: Danielle McGifford.

Tries: Gaskin (6′), Hook (27′).

Goals: Taylor (2/2).

Referee: Lucas Seal.