Betts: A great spectacle
- Women’s Head Coach Denis Betts gave his thoughts following his sides’ Derby defeat at The Brick Community Stadium.
- Ellise Derbyshire and Eva Hunter scored in the close encounter with Isabel Rowe converting both scores.
- FT | Wigan Warriors Women 12-16 St Helens Women.
Denis Betts spoke of ‘A great spectacle’ as his Women’s side were narrowly beaten 16-12 in a great encounter with St Helens Women at The Brick Community Stadium.
The Warriors Women found themselves 10-0 down at the half-time break after a first half double from St Helens’ Rachael Woosey, but the Warriors responded through Ellise Derbyshire in the 50th minute. Despite St Helens hitting back with another try from Vicky Whitfield, Eva Hunter cut-back the deficit in the late stages.
Speaking on the final hooter, Betts said: “I’m proud of the group. I thought we didn’t help ourselves out there tonight – completion rate was around 50% in the first half and maybe 60 in the second half, but what I can say is that they responded.
“We showed lots of character and lots of determination. They’re a very good side who have a lot of international experience through their pack and we stepped up and that’s why I’m really proud of the girls. We’re a young and inexperienced group who are learning as we grow but I thought that was a great spectacle for the Women’s game.”
He added: “We know that we still have to be better and the challenge is that we still haven’t beat a side in that top half of the table yet so our challenge is next week (vs York Valkyrie) and we’re aware of that straight away.”
Betts’ young side included Isabel Rowe who recently made her England debut under Stuart Barrow and Jenna Foubister, who was promoted to the first team from the Warriors Women’s Academy and are both still only 17-years-old: “Izzy (Rowe) is shining through, I thought the compliment of her Jenna (Foubister) in the halves was something really exciting. Jenna was really exciting today with the ball and I think the future is very bright.”
Summarising the evening, the Women’s Head Coach said: “Tonight we got better because of what we experienced tonight as a group. I also thought Victoria Molyneux was just outstanding today and was probably the best player on the field, on a losing side.
“She has that in her, they know the levels we need to be at and if we’re looking at someone inspiring our team then Vic is in that bracket. We’re in a good place.”
Next up for the Warriors Women, they travel to take on York Valkyrie for the first time in 2024 at the LNER Community Stadium in Round 9 of Betfred Women’s Super League.
