Women progress to Cup Quarter-Finals
- Match Report as Wigan Warriors Women win comfortably against Cardiff Demons Women.
- Anna Davies and Alice Fisher both scored two tries each as the Warriors top their Challenge Cup Group.
- FT | Wigan Warriors Women 44-4 Cardiff Demons Women.
The Warriors were relentless at Robin Park as they put on a solid display against Cardiff Demons to top their Challenge Cup Group, securing a home tie in the Quarter-Finals.
Report
The Warriors scored after just three minutes through Isabel Rowe, the full-back supporting Kaitlin Hilton who went close after a good break. Emma Knowles was unsuccessful with the conversion from the touchline as Wigan led 4-0.
The Warriors attack did not falter and just a few minute later Anna Davies sent Ellise Derbyshire away on left edge to cut across and put Wigan 8-0 up, Emma Knowles was unable to convert another difficult kick from out wide.
Cardiff’s first proper attack came 11 minutes in, when Seren Gough-Walters got a pass away who Eleri Michael who tried to dive over the line, but was held up. Two minutes later the Devils were back on the attack and with some quick play down the right hand side, Bridget Jones also thought she was through but was held up over the line by some excellent Wigan defence.
Cardiff got their reward for their efforts shortly afterwards though, as Amy Price bundled the ball over on the left hand side after a quick play through the line. Lauren Aitken was off target with the conversion.
Abbie Singleton was forced from the field after taking a knock just after 20 minutes, but the interchange saw Olivia Harborow onto the field and straight into the action as she dived over for her first ever Wigan try to get the Warriors a third score of the afternoon, with Emma Knowles converting for 14-4.
With five minutes to go before the break, Wigan were awarded a penalty after a high tackle on Eva Hunter. After the restart the ball made its way back to Hunter who ran a fantastic line to race through and score under the sticks, Knowles was able to add the extras once again and it was 20-4.
Just on the stroke of half time, Anna Davies finally got her reward for her attacking prowess as she blistered through the Demon’s defence to score another effort under the uprights for Knowles to convert with ease and send Wigan in with the 26-4 advantage.
The second half started like the first with Isabel Rowe trying to get the on the scoreboard again, only to be held up over the line. Wigan extended their lead on 51 minutes however, as Anna Davies muscled her way over on the left edge to confirm her second of the afternoon. Knowles was on target again.
Alice Fisher finished the game with a delightful double to celebrate her birthday, both coming from close range after good work from the Warriors to camp inside the Demons defensive half. Both efforts were converted as Wigan took the 44-4 victory on home soil, confirming a first place finish in their group and a home Quarter-Final tie.
Gallery:
Wigan Warriors Women: Isabel Rowe, Cailey Miller, Kaitlin Hilton, Anna Davies, Ellise Derbyshire, Sinead Doria, Emma Knowles, Holly Speakman, Abbie Singleton, Alice Fisher, Eva Hunter, Mary Coleman, Rachel Thompson.
Interchange: Rease Casey (D), Jade Gregory-Haselden, Olivia Harborow, Ellie Costello.
18th Player: Bethany Hayes
Tries: Rowe (3’), Derbyshire (6’), Harborow (22’), Hunter (37’), Davies (40’, 51’), Fisher (71’, 79’)
Goals: Knowles 6/8
Cardiff Demons Women: Brittony Price, Eleri Michael, Seren Gough-Walters, Kaitlin Hubbert, Zoe Heeley, Shaunni Davies, Rhi Parker, Lauren Aitken, Jasmine Gibbons, Sara Jones, Bridget Jones, Charlie Mundy, Amy Price.
Interchange: Meg Whittaker, Ffion Jenkins, Tara Finnegan.
Tries: Price (14′)
Goals: Aitken 0/1
By Alumbir Nahal
