Women’s defeat the Giants

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Women produced a strong display to beat Huddersfield Giants Women.
• Anna Davies and Mary Coleman each scored twice as Cailey Miller rounded off the win which keeps the Warriors on course for a top four finish.
• FT | Wigan Warriors Women 26-06 Huddersfield Giants Women.

Wigan Warriors Women remained on course for a top four finish after beating Huddersfield Giants Women 26-6 at Robin Park Arena.

Anna Davies and Mary Coleman each scored twice as the Warriors put in a strong performance to defeat the Giants.

Cailey Miller rounded off the victory with an impressive solo try as Carys Marsh made her 50th appearence for the Warriors.

Report

After an injury hit start to the contest, which saw Sienna McPherson replaced for Huddersfield, the Warriors opened the scoring after eight minutes when Davies touched down in the corner after the Giants failed to deal with Sinead Doria’s accurate grubber kick through.

Handling errors frustrated the Warriors, however, the lead was increased after 24 minutes when Carys Marsh’s pass found Coleman who powered over the line. Doria added the extras to give the Warriors a 10-0 lead.

Despite threatening the Huddersfield defensive line for a third try before the half time whistle, the visitors remained firm to keep Eva Hunter out as the sides went into the break with the score at 10-0.

The Warriors added a third try in the opening minute when Doria’s pin-point kick over the top was collected by Davies who powered through the attempted tackle to score underneath the sticks. Doria was successful from the tee to increase the advantage.

Huddersfield capitalised on a mix up from a high kick as Amelia Brown burst through the line at pace, however, Hunter chased back excellently to stop the winger short before the Warriors forced the Giants back to 20m.

A fourth try came shortly after when Coleman, who after initially being stopped by the Huddersfield defence, crashed over the line in the following play with 50 minutes on the clock. The Warriors’ lead remained at 20-0 after the conversion attempt went wide.

The Warriors continued to apply pressure on the Huddersfield defence, and after a series of forward carries, Holly Speakman’s pass was well-collected by Beth Hayes who was held up over the line.

Huddersfield scored their first points on the hour when, after an initial break from Emma Wilkinson took the Giants 20m out, the ball was worked back to the prop who powered over next to the sticks. The try was converted to reduce the score to 20-6.

Despite a spell of pressure from the Giants, the Warriors scored a fifth try when Miller skipped clear of multiple tackles before sprinting clear from half way to slide over between the sticks. Doria slotted the conversion to restore the 20-point advantage.

The Warriors finished the game strongly as an excellent chase from Davies almost resulted in a goal line drop out, however, the score remained 26-6 at the final whistle.

Gallery:

Wigan Warriors Women: Rebecca Greenfield, Cailey Miller, Anna Davies, Eva Hunter, Molly Jones, Rachel Thompson, Sinead Doria, Holly Speakman, Carys Marsh, Lucy Johnson, Victoria Molyneux, Mary Coleman, Sarah Bardsley.

Interchange: Olivia Harborow, Cerys Jones, Bethany Hayes, Kaitlin Hilton.

18th Player: Jodie Morris.

Tries: Davies (8′, 41′), Coleman (24′, 52′), Miller (69′).

Goals: Doria 3/5.

Huddersfield Giants Women: Amy Bennett, Albany Coates, Megan Preston, Grace Arrowsmith, Amelia Brown, Frankie Townend, Rebekah Grady, Sienna McPherson, Bethan Oates, Emma Wilkinson, Lois Naidole, Katy Fisher, Abbie-May Millward.

Interchange: Ana Cassama Da Silva, Bethany Armstrong, Emily Simister, Rachael Barker.

18th Player: Pippa Curley.

Tries: Wilkinson (62′).

Goals: Townend 1/1.

Referee: Luke Flavell.