LEEDS RHINOS 12 WIGAN WARRIORS 50
SAM BROCKSOM, AMT Headingley, Saturday

THE party continues for Wigan who, a week after securing the League Leaders’ Shield, have backed it up with a dominant win over second-placed Leeds.

And in putting nine tries past their nearest challengers, Denis Betts’ side underlined why they are strong favourites to win the Grand Final and complete a second straight treble.

It was very different to the reverse fixture seven days prior, which Wigan only won 26-20, albeit leading throughout.

The Warriors made one change from that game, with Ruby Hunter coming in as a straight swap for Cerys Jones. Leeds welcomed back both Ruby Bruce and Lacey Owen, with Nicole Kennedy and Grace Short dropping out.

Just like last week, it was Wigan who raced into an early lead, however, unlike last week, Leeds had no response to the onslaught.

An error from Bella Sykes, followed by a penalty conceded, gave Wigan the first chance, and it was quickly pounced on after some route-one rugby saw Megan Williams crash over for her first of the afternoon.

The returning Hunter got Wigan’s second, before Mary Coleman added a score, taking her to three tries in two weeks against the Rhinos. Isabel Rowe slotted over all three conversions, giving Wigan an 18-0 lead after just 15 minutes.

It was at this time last week that Leeds started to click into gear but they showed no signs of that happening this time, as poor goalline defence allowed Williams in for her second try. Rowe was successful again, increasing the lead to 24.

Either side of the 30-minute mark, Wigan and England winger Anna Davies scored twice, the first of which was a piece of individual brilliance as she raced 80 metres down the right flank to score. Her second saw her profit from a sublime ball from Rowe, who cut out two Leeds defenders to put the winger over. Rowe couldn’t kick either goal.

Leeds would eventually get on the scoresheet, doing so in the final play of the first half. Bruce, who looked to be hobbling just minutes prior, scampered out of dummy-half to give the home side some points, before Mel Howard’s accurate kick gave a half-time scoreline of 32-6.

After the break, the Rhinos showed a bit more urgency and looked more of a threat, but they still couldn’t punish the Warriors. In the meantime, Wigan added to their lead through Ellise Derbyshire, who was set free after a nice pass from Molly Jones before rounding Ruby Enright to score. Rowe was back on target from the boot.

Further tries came from Eva Hunter and Rowe, with the reigning Woman of Steel scoring a brilliant solo try, fending off multiple defenders to score from halfway. Rowe then backed that up with an individual try of her own, dummying her way through the defence, and her two conversions gave Wigan the half-century with 15 minutes still to play.

They spent most of the remaining time with twelve players, however, after a trip from Lucie Sams on Howard was enough for referee Tara Jones to pull out the yellow card.

Leeds received a penalty for the challenge, but lost the ball on tackle one, which summed up their evening.

However, with a player advantage, the Rhinos did grab a consolation score to end the game, as Connie Boyd touched down after she ran a great line to latch on to a discreet pass from Howard, who added the extras.

GAMESTAR: Megan Williams played the full 80 in the middle of the park and capped off a brilliant display with two tries.

GAMEBREAKER: Two quick tries from Anna Davies sealed Wigan’s win before the half-time hooter had even sounded.

MATCHFACTS

RHINOS
1 Ruby Enright
5 Liv Whitehead
4 Evie Cousins
15 Connie Boyd
2 Liv Whitehead
6 Mel Howard
7 Ruby Walker
26 Georgia Elliston
9 Keara Bennett
20 Jess Sharp
22 Lois Naidole
12 Lucy Murray
28 Bella Sykes
Subs (all used)
8 Kaiya Glynn
11 Lacey Owen
13 Shannon Brown
14 Ruby Bruce

Tries: Bruce (40), Boyd (77)
Goals: Howard 2/2

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

Tries: Williams (4, 21), R Hunter (8), Coleman (13), Davies (28, 34), Derbyshire (50), E Hunter (63), Rowe (65)
Goals: Rowe 7/9
Sin bin: Sams (71) – tripping

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-12, 0-18, 0-24, 0-28, 0-32, 6-32; 6-38, 6-44, 6-50, 12-50

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Women of the Match
Rhinos: Keara Bennett; Warriors: Megan Williams

Penalty count: 6-6
Half-time: 6-32
Referee: Tara Jones