WIGAN WARRIORS 84 BARROW RAIDERS 0
LORRAINE MARSDEN, Robin Park Arena, Sunday
A HAT-TRICK of tries plus eleven goals from Jenna Foubister proved the star attraction as Wigan showed their silverware credentials.
When the sides met in the group stages of last season’s competition, only two points separated them, but smart recruitment from Wigan coach Denis Betts, coupled with a mass departure of some of Barrow’s most experienced players, meant the Raiders came nowhere near their hosts this time.
The Warriors were dominant from the start, racing into a 26-0 lead within the opening 18 minutes through tries from Tiana Power, Mollie Jones, and two from Georgia Wilson either side of Foubister’s first.
Wilson’s second was the pick of the bunch when, following some rare defensive efforts, the ball was worked out of the scrum into her hands and she raced 80 metres upfield to touch down.
The game was already in the bag for Wigan, but their foot never came off the gas with Eva Hunter, Foubister and Jones adding further tries before half-time. Five conversions for Foubister and one for Emily Veivers left the score at 44-0.
Wigan were equally dominant after the restart with Remi Wilton crossing in the opening minutes, before Foubister completed her hat-trick on 47.
Ellise Derbyshire (twice), Tiana Power, Eva Hunter and Mary Coleman added further tries, and Foubister six more conversions, to boost Wigan’s total.
WARRIORS: 1 Grace Banks, 26 Tiana Power, 3 Georgia Wilson, 4 Mollie Jones, 5 Ellise Derbyshire, 6 Jenna Foubister, 17 Emily Veivers, 8 Mary Coleman, 9 Carys Marsh, 20 Holly Speakman, 11 Eva Hunter, 10 Shaniah Power, 13 Megan Williams. Subs (all used): 16 Rease Casey, 19 Remi Wilton, 22 Mia Atherton, 24 Ruby Hunter.
Tries: T Power (2, 57), Jones (7, 34), Wilson (10, 18), Foubister (12, 32, 47), E Hunter (24, 68), Wilton (44), Derbyshire (51, 65), Coleman (78); Goals: Foubister 11/14; Veivers 1/1
RAIDERS: 1 Vanessa Temple, 16 Charlotte Todhunter, 2 Shannon Parker, 4 Claire Hutchinson, 8 Kelly Friend, 6 Kerrie-Ann Smith, 7 Beth Pattinson, 14 Mia Dobson, 15 Leah Cottier, 10 Jodie Morley, 11 Emily Stirzaker, 12 Leah Clough, 13 Nicole Stewart. Subs (all used): 3 Maddie Neale, 5 Chloe Capstick, 17 Laura Mellen, – Imogen Smilie.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 4-0, 10-0, 14-0, 20-0, 26-0, 32-0, 38-0, 44-0; 50-0, 56-0, 62-0, 66-0, 72-0, 78-0, 84-0
Half-time: 44-0
