NORTHUMBRIA 24 LIVERPOOL 4
ANDREW CUDBERTSON, FLAIR Stadium, Dewsbury, Sunday
NORTHUMBRIA retained the title, in the competition’s second season, with an impressive victory over a Liverpool side who, after having lost in the inaugural final, were determined to go one better in memory of their former coach Mike Cole, who sadly passed away earlier this season due to a heart attack.
His successors, Andy Rawsthorne and Martin O’Neil, could not fault their players for effort in a match that was a tremendous advertisement for Women’s Student Rugby League – and it was in fact Liverpool who scored first, through Freya Turner.
But the quality of Northumbria – the runaway team in the league this season – eventually told, with Lucy Williamson netting a trademark hat-trick and adding a couple of goals to boot.
An end-to-end first half closed with Northumbria edging in front, scrum-half Darcey Worth creating tries for Christina Bywater and Williamson.
Williamson again combined with Worth to push Northumbria further ahead after the interval but Liverpool, with Natalia Mia always dangerous, were never out of the game until Kennedy Fisk crashed over ten minutes from time, with Williamson grabbing her third touchdown in the closing seconds.
NORTHUMBRIA: Lucy Williamson, Esme Rogers, Christina Bywater, Katie Toomey, Joni Doran-Armstrong, Grace Ellis, Darcey Worth, Maddie Hayles, Sophie Price, Izzy Suggitt, Ellie Burston, Nicole Bowe, Abi Turner. Subs: Eva Pearson, Millie Thomsen, Katie Barber, Georgia McConnon, Kennedy Fisk, Soni Kulkarni, Jade Webster.
LIVERPOOL: Clara Morgan, Agatha Logan, Lily Tichias, Lucia Bullock, Kerry Thurston, Freya Turner, Regan Adams, Ellie Holmes, Ellie Horsley, Manon Melville, Lucia Greensit, Maddie Windred, Natalia Mia. Subs: Niamh Waterworth, Abigail Cheevers, Clare Bamford, Kara Lewthwaite, Abigail Clarkson, Victoria Lynch, Sofia Godwin.
Referee: Lexie Hagues.
