Warriors Women Raid Barrow

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Women win away at Barrow Raiders.
• The Warriors Women returned to the top of the table with a convincing win on Saturday afternoon.
• FT | Barrow Raiders 6-46 Wigan Warriors.

Match Report as Wigan Warriors Women returned to winning ways in betfred Women’s Super League with a convincing win over Barrow Raiders.

Grace Banks and Molly Jones returned to action after injury lay-offs as Wigan built up a good lead in the opening forty. Anna Davies crossed for a first half hat-trick of tries, with Grace Banks marking her return with a great solo try to give Wigan a 22-0 advantage at the break.

Wigan added five further scores in the second half through Kaitlin Hilton, Abbie Singleton and Rease Casey alongside a further two scores for Anna Davies who made took her game tally to five. Barrow crossed for a consolation try through Jodie Morley as the Warriors ran out 46-6 winners to return to the top of the table.

Report

Wigan’s Emma Knowles left the field for a HIA in the early exchanges as Barrow were in control. A break from former Warrior Emily Stirzaker gave the hosts an early opportunity but a good tackle from Grace Banks denied them an opening score.

The Warriors crossed for the first points of the game as Anna Davies was allowed space on the edge to race clear and extend her try-scoring record for the season. Isabel Rowe had the tee with Knowles off the field and she converted for 6-0.

Almost immediately Wigan got a second as Grace Banks showed some great individual brilliance to round the Barrow defence and get Wigan further in front. Rowe converted again to make it 12-0 with less than 20 minutes played.

Just before the half hour Barrow struck a 40/20 to get them in great field position before Wigan then conceded a penalty but going through hands the Raiders knocked on through Charlotte Todhunter for Anna Davies to recover the possession.

Anna Davies then crossed for two tries in the final 10 minutes of the first half to complete a first half hat-trick. The first saw a kick not dealt with for the winger to capitalise before an interception on the hooter gave Davies the opportunity to race clear and make it 22-0 to the Warriors at the turnaround.

Wigan were without Knowles for the remainder of the game with a failed HIA but they extended their lead from the restart as Abbie Singleton darted over for Wigan’s fifth of the day. Isabel Rowe converted once more to make it 28-0.

After a period of pressure from both sides, Barrow finally got on the board in the 55th minute. After a good initial break to get deep into Wigan territory, the home side were handed a six again as Jodie Morley took advantage to crash over. Jodie Litherland converted the score to make it 28-6 going into the final 20 minutes.

Kaitlin Hilton then got on the scoresheet off the interchange bench as she crossed despite Barrow’s best defensive efforts. Rowe couldn’t convert but Wigan were comfortable at 32-6.

With Wigan looking to extend their lead further, Hutchinson attempted an interception but only to knock the ball on and give Wigan another full set close to the Raiders goal line. The Warriors took full advantage as Anna Davies crossed for her fourth effort of the afternoon with a fantastic finish to deny being put into touch. Rowe was off target but Wigan had the 30-point advantage going into the final stages.

Wigan finished with a flourish as Anna Davies added a fifth try to the rout before Rease Casey sealed the victory in the final five minutes from close range as the Warriors won 46-6, returning to the top of the table.

Barrow Raiders: Sam Norman, Emma Hutchinson, Claire Hutchinson, Alice Rush, Charlotte Todhunter, Demi Fisher, Jodie Litherland, Mia Dobson, Beth Lindsay, Jodie Morley, Leah Clough, Vanessa Temple, Emily Stirzaker.

Interchange: Leah Cottier, Kelly Friend, Laura Mellen, Maddie Neale.

18th Player: Fran Harley.

Tries: Morley (55′)

Goals: Litherland 1/1

Wigan Warriors: Grace Banks, Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Molly Jones, Ellise Derbyshire, Isabel Rowe, Emma Knowles, Holly Speakman, Rease Casey, Alice Fisher, Cerys Jones, Mary Coleman, Rachel Thompson.

Interchange: Abbie Singleton, Jade Gregory-Haselden, Kaitlin Hilton, Bethany Hayes.

18th Player: Emma Welsford

Tries: Davies (15′, 32′, 39′, 65′, 67′), Banks (17′), Singleton (41′), Hilton (61′), Casey (72′)

Goals: Rowe 5/9