Warriors Women lose out to Leeds
- Match Report as Wigan Warriors Women lose out against Leeds Rhinos in Betfred Women’s Super League.
- A try either side of half time was not enough for the Warriors at Headingley.
- FT | Leeds Rhinos 28-8 Wigan Warriors.
Match report as wigan warriors women fall to defeat away to Leeds Rhinos in Round 11 of Betfred Women’s Super League.
The Warriors had the best of the early exchanges as a testing ball from Isabel Rowe after 5 minutes was spilled at the back by Evie Cousins to get Wigan in possession from close range. From the opportunity, Denis Betts’ side went close but were held up short of the whitewash to keep it scoreless.
The Rhinos then put some heavy pressure on the Warriors defence, forcing back-to-back errors before a fantastic tackle from Mary Coleman denied full-back Evie Cousins after initially breaking the defensive line and it remained 0-0.
Leeds broke the deadlock on 19 minutes as loose forward Bethan Dainton broke through on half way to race away and score under the sticks, with Keara Bennett converting with ease for 6-0.
Just 3 minutes later and Welsh international Dainton was in again, this time getting around the Warriors line to cross. Bennett was off target with the second effort as it stood 10-0 to the hosts.
Wigan responded on the half hour as winger Anna Davies broke away on the right edge to finish off in the corner. The touchline conversion from Isabel Rowe was off target as the score was reduced to 10-4. Coleman then tried her luck just moments later but a stop from Murray denied Coleman just short of the line.
Leeds had the best chance of the final few minutes of the opening forty as Liv Whitehead made 60m to get Leeds in good field position though a kick on the last from Caitlin Casey came to nothing as the teams went in at the break at 10-4.
Wigan hit back early in the second half as back-to-back sets at the Rhinos’ line allowed Georgia Wilson to cross on the right edge. Isabel Rowe couldn’t add the extras from another difficult conversion as the Warriors were back within two points.
The home side responded quickly as winger Ebony Stead raced down the left edge from 20m out to go over in the corner. Keara Bennett converted well from out wide and it was 16-8 with half an hour to play.
Leeds were handed an opportunity on the hour as a kick from Hanna Butcher was spilled to give the Rhinos a full set just 10m away and Bella Sykes took advantage to crash over from dummy half. Whitehead taking over kicking duties for the home side was unsuccessful as Leeds led 20-8 going into the final quarter.
Shona Hoyle confirmed the victory for Leeds as she went over for two tries in the final 7 minutes to see Leeds to a 28-8 victory on home soil.
Gallery:
Leeds Rhinos: Evie Cousins, Ebony Stead, Sophie Robinson, Amy Hardcastle, Liv Whitehead, Hanna Butcher, Caitlin Casey, Bella Sykes, Keara Bennett, Izzy Northrop, Lucy Murray, Jenna Greening, Bethan Dainton.
Interchange: Shona Hoyle, Grace Field, Ella Donnelly, Grace Short.
18th Player: Kaiya Glynn
Tries: Dainton (19′, 22′), Stead (47′), Sykes (60′), Hoyle (72′, 79′)
Goals: Bennett 2/4, Whitehead 0/2
Wigan Warriors: Grace Banks, Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Molly Jones, Ellise Derbyshire, Isabel Rowe, Jenna Foubister, Holly Speakman, Carys Marsh, Alice Fisher, Eva Hunter, Mary Coleman, Rachel Thompson.
Interchange: Abbie Singleton, Jade Gregory-Haselden, Kaitlin Hilton, Cerys Jones.
18th Player: Bethany Hayes.
Tries: Davies (28′), Wilson (44′)
Goals: Rowe 0/2
