LEIGH LEOPARDS are determined to show they can mix it with the big girls ahead of a challenging run of fixtures.
They opened the league season with a 34-8 victory over promoted Featherstone Rovers, then were beaten 26-0 by Huddersfield Giants.
Leigh next face the past two title winners in Wigan Warriors (this Thursday) and York Valkyrie (Saturday, June 13), both away.
Leopards fullback Hattie Dogus is taking encouragement from some of their away days last season.
“We are Leigh, we are new, we are a young team, and we’re not up there with the most established teams, but I feel like we gave them too much respect last season,” she said.
“We’re in Super League for a reason. It’s more about the mentality. Physically and in terms of the ball game, we’ve got it, it’s our own mental thoughts that do challenge us a bit.
“One of my favourite games last year was at Leeds on a Friday night (a 48-12 loss) – we were rushing back from work but we were competing against one of the top teams.
“I was injured when we played York away, but we kept them out for a long period (in a 28-4 defeat) and that was huge for the girls.
“They are the games we thrive on, when we can match bigger teams and give it back to them.
“Competing every week is what it’s all about – getting to the same level as these bigger teams.”