Warriors Women lose to Leeds
- Match Report as Wigan Warriors Women lose against Leeds Rhinos Women at The Brick Community Stadium.
- Anna Davies first half try was the Warriors only score.
- FT | Wigan Warriors 4-24 Leeds Rhinos.
Match Report as Wigan Warriors Women lose against Leeds Rhinos Women at The Brick Community Stadium.
The Warriors produced a firm piece of defensive work through Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson and Vicky Molyneux who combined to force Ebony Stead into touch in the early stages, however, Leeds went ahead on nine minutes when Caitlin Casey dummied over from close range. Keara Bennett missed the conversion as the score remained 4-0.
An instant response was almost seen from the Warriors when Wilson acrobatically touched down Isabel Rowe’s dangerous kick in behind, however, the officials ruled the ball had bounced dead.
A promising break through the Leeds defence saw Davies make more than 60m before being halted. The visitors were penalised for an offside on their line from which the Warriors switched play to the right wing where Davies dived over in the corner. Rowe’s kick rebounded off the bar as the score remained level.
Despite a strong spell of possession from the Warriors, which saw Grace Banks almost send Davies over in the corner, the Rhinos regained the lead on 25 minutes when Bennett weaved over from close range before adding the extras.
The Rhinos extended their lead on the hooter when Sophie Robinson reacted first to ground a loose ball after possession was lost following a hard hit. After a consultation with the video referee, the effort was given to extend Leeds’ advantage right on half time, with Whitehead missing from the tee the teams went in at 4-14.
Wigan came out for the second half with intent as they immediately sent a testing kick to ground before keeping Kaiya Glynn in-goal to force a drop out. Molly Jones then went close at the left corner but a determined Leeds defence powered the Centre into touch to deny Wigan.
An error from Leeds shortly afterwards gave Wigan another opportunity to hit back as Molyneux punched a hole in the defensive line before being brought down before the last play kick fell into the arms of Leeds captain Hanna Butcher to see out the danger.
Leeds then put the pressure on as Robinson and Whitehead combined on the left edge, however solid defence from Denis Betts’ side forced them into touch. The Rhinos did extend their lead in the 56th minute however, as a kick across the field from Caitlin Casey was collected first by Amy Hardcastle to cross for Leeds’ fourth of the evening. Whitehead added the extras to make it 20-4 in Leeds’ favour.
10 minutes later The Rhinos crossed for their final score of the game. Penalised for offside, Wigan were put on the backfoot as Sophie Robinson dived over in the left corner after creating an overlap. Bennett was unable to convert from out wide as the score hit 4-24.
The Warriors put in a determined effort in the final 10 minutes with Ellise Derbyshire stopped short of the goal line in the 71st minute. Wigan’s best opportunity of a final score saw Mary Coleman burst through a gap before getting a pass out to Molly Jones but the following play produced an error as Wigan were unable to add to their score.
Gallery:
Wigan Warriors: Grace Banks, Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Molly Jones, Ellise Derbyshire, Isabel Rowe, Jenna Foubister, Holly Speakman, Carys Marsh, Mary Coleman, Eva Hunter, Victoria Molyneux, Rachel Thompson.
Interchange: Jade Gregory-Haselden, Kaitlin Hilton, Cerys Jones, Ruby Hunter.
18th Player: Abbie Singleton.
Tries: Davies (16′)
Goals: Rowe (0/1).
Leeds Rhinos: Ebony Stead, Evie Cousins, Amy Hardcastle, Sophie Robinson, Olivia Whitehead, Hanna Butcher, Caitlin Casey, Bella Sykes, Keara Bennett, Ella Donnelly, Lucy Murray, Shona Hoyle, Bethan Dainton.
Interchange: Ruby Bruce, Kaiya Glynn, Isabel Northrop, Ruby Walker.
18th Player: Sophie Nuttall.
Tries: Casey (9′), Bennett (25′), Robinson (39′, 66′), Hardcastle (56′)
Goals: Bennett (1/3) Whitehead (1/2)
Referee: Adam Williams.
