FEATHERSTONE ROVERS 6 WIGAN WARRIORS 78
LEX WORMALD, Millennium Stadium, Saturday

NEW Wigan captain Georgia Wilson led from the front with the opening two tries as the visitors took control of the match early doors.

Despite the scoreline this still proved to be an entertaining contest between the Challenge Cup holders and top-flight returnees Featherstone.

Wigan made a fast start and opened the scoreboard within four minutes after Wilson capitalised on a Featherstone knock-on from Holly Waddington. Spotting spaces in the defensive line, she drew players in and crossed over. 

The Warriors continued to apply pressure to Rovers with quick hands and well-orchestrated plays from the excellent Isabel Rowe.

Another handling error from Featherstone gave Wigan great field position and they took advantage as Wilson powered over the line for her second try and Rowe’s boot extended the lead to 0-12.

Moments later, Rowe further extended that score as she showed a quick dummy before stepping through the defence.

Featherstone responded well and began to apply pressure after forcing a knock-on 15 meters from the Warriors line. Hooker Alyssa Courtney darted over from dummy-half and Waddington converted for Rovers’ only points of the game. 

The Warriors’ attacking dominance continued as Ruby Hunter surged down the wing before executing a perfectly-timed pass to Anna Davies to add more to the scoreboard.

Lucie Sams was next to cross shortly after the restart, then Cerys Jones crashed into a Rowe pass.

Wigan were yet to be silenced before half-time as Jenna Foubister sent a grubber kick into the corner and Ellise Derbyshire grounded the ball on the hooter for 6-34.

The second half got underway in a more scrappy fashion with both teams struggling to maintain possession, but Davies produced a dart from dummy-half to resume the scoring.

Wigan’s pressure was relentless, although when they tried to add another in the corner solid defence from Chloe Billington forced the attack to retreat. 

But Cerys Jones was soon over for her second of the game and, moments after this, a slick attacking set from the Warriors meant that Sams found the try line after a well-timed pass found her the space she needed to complete her own double.

A beautiful set between Cerys Jones and Rowe followed as they paired up perfectly for the latter to also get her second of the game, before Hunter scored off a loose ball.

The dominance from the Warriors continued with both solid attack and defence against a still-resilient Rovers side.

Rowe completed her hat-trick with 15 minutes remaining after gaining possession of the ball and crossed over the line in style.

Two further tries were added in the final quarter of an hour, from debutant Bethan Dainton and then, for a third time, Davies with a strong run though the tough Rovers defense to score beneath the sticks.

GAMESTAR: Isabel Rowe showed dominance all throughout the game with her quick hands, excellent ability to read the game and reliable boot.

GAMEBREAKER: The two early tries from Georgia Wilson set the tone.

MATCHFACTS

ROVERS
1 Angel Bentley
19 Beth Macmillan
3 Chloe Billington
4 Lydia Fawkes
5 Shavon Craven
6 Charley Blackburn
25 Holly Waddington
14 Gabby Harrison
9 Alyssa Courtney
17 Brogan Kennedy
11 Tilly Churm
16 Kacey Davies
10 Emillie Holmes
Subs (all used)
8 Katie Evans
12 Brogan Churm
22 Michaela Magonya
24 Sammy Watts

Tries: Courtney (20)
Goals: Waddington 1/1

WARRIORS
3 Georgia Wilson
2 Anna Davies
22 Ruby Hunter
4 Molly Jones
5 Ellise Derbyshire
6 Jenna Foubister
7 Isabel Rowe
8 Mary Coleman
19 Remi Wilton
15 Bethan Dainton
20 Lucie Sams
12 Cerys Jones
13 Megan Williams
Subs (all used)
9 Carys Marsh
10 Mia Atherton
17 Kelsey Gentles
21 Jade Gregory-Haselden

Tries: Wilson (4, 7), Rowe (14, 58, 65), Davies (24, 44, 76), Sams (26, 54), C Jones (34, 49), Derbyshire (40), R Hunter (61), Dainton (73)
Goals: Rowe 9/15

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-12, 0-16, 6-16, 6-20, 6-26, 6-30, 6-34; 6-38, 6-44, 6-48, 6-54, 6-60, 6-66, 6-72, 6-78

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Women of the Match
Rovers: Chloe Billington; Warriors: Isabel Rowe

Penalty count: 2-1
Half-time: 6-34