Women lose out in semi-final
- Match Report as Wigan Warriors Women were beaten by St Helens Women at The Totally Wicked Stadium.
- Despite Jenna Foubister’s first half try, the Warriors fell short in reaching the Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final.
- FT | St Helens 18-4 Wigan Warriors.
Wigan Warriors Women were beaten 18-4 by st helens women in the play-off semi-final at the totally wicked stadium.
The Warriors trailed by two points at the break despite a fantastic team move finished off by Jenna Foubister moments after St Helens opened the scoring through Emily Rudge.
Despite a determined defensive performance from the Warriors, St Helens added three more tries to deny Wigan a place in the Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final.
Report
The Warriors started the semi-final electrically as Ellise Derbyshire offloaded to Isabel Rowe who broke through the St Helens defence on halfway to take Wigan 10m out. The Warriors looked to work the ball to the left edge, however, an interception on the final tackle saw the hosts survive.
St Helens had to defend for most of the early stages, however, they turned defence into attack to open the scoring when Rudge crashed over from close range despite the best efforts of Foubister to hold the ball up. The video referee confirmed the try as Faye Gaskin added the extras to give the hosts a 6-0 lead after 13 minutes.
The Warriors responded instantly when Foubister finished off an outstanding team move to get Wigan back within two points. Anna Davies initially accelerated clear down the right wing before Georgia Wilson evaded the attempted tackle to pass inside to Foubister who forced her way over next to the sticks.
Kaitlin Hilton came off the bench mid-way through the first half to make her 50th appearance, and after withstanding periods of St Helens pressure, the Warriors almost crossed for a second try before the break. Davies found space on the right wing to make metres, but Leah Burke was well-positioned to force the centre into touch as the score remained 6-4 at half time.
A Warriors error from the restart returned possession to St Helens who drove through the middle through Katie Mottershead before the ball was released wide to Burke who slid over in the corner although Gaskin was unable to add the extras.
The hosts extended their lead on 45 minutes when Rudge carried deep inside the Warriors half before the ball was shifted to the left edge where this time Rachael Woosey was able to use an overlapping run to dummy over. The kick from Gaskin was off target as the score remained 14-4.
The Warriors continued to battle as a driving run from Derbyshire took the Warriors deep inside the St Helens before the ball was worked to the opposite edge where Davies attempted to power over, however, multiple tacklers were able to force the centre into touch just short.
Despite keeping St Helens out on multiple occasions, the Warriors were unable to prevent Burke from crossing for her second of the evening with nine minutes remaining. Gaskin’s kick from the touchline dropped short but the hosts saw out the closing stages to reach the Grand Final with an 18-4 win.
Gallery:
St Helens Women: Beri Salihi, Phoebe Hook, Erin Stott, Rachael Woosey, Leah Burke, Zoe Harris, Faye Gaskin, Vicky Whitfield, Tara Jones, Chantelle Crowl, Emily Rudge, Paige Travis, Jodie Cunningham.
Interchange: Naomi Williams, Darcy Stott, Katie Mottershead, Megan Williams.
18th Player: Georgia Sutherland.
Tries: Rudge (13′), Burke (41′, 72′), Woosey (45′).
Goals: Gaskin (1/4).
Wigan Warriors Women: Grace Banks, Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Molly Jones, Ellise Derbyshire, Isabel Rowe, Jenna Foubister, Holly Speakman, Carys Marsh, Alice Fisher, Mary Coleman, Victoria Molyneux, Rachel Thompson.
Interchange: Jade Gregory-Haselden, Kaitlin Hilton, Cerys Jones, Ruby Hunter.
18th Player: Abbie Singleton.
Tries: Foubister (17′)
Goals: Rowe (0/1).
Attendance: 1,193.
