WIGAN WARRIORS 22 ST HELENS 22
DAVE PARKINSON, Robin Park Arena, Sunday
WHAT a game! In a repeat of the recent Challenge Cup final, won comfortably by Wigan, it was honours even this time.
And the Warriors had to charge back from a ten-point deficit at half-time to claim their share of the spoils in a match watched by 1,228, a record for a Wigan women’s home stand-alone fixture.
Wigan went close to clinching victory late on, only for Isabel Rowe to watch in frustration as her field-goal attempt failed to clear the bar.
In an opening of completions and kicks, it was Wigan who came closest when Jenna Foubister dug into the line and set Grace Banks running, only for Beri Salihi to bring her down.
The hosts created a second chance moments later, but Anna Davies was unable to ground the ball wide out due to good inside pressure.
Wigan pressed hard but Molly Jones’ pass couldn’t find Elise Derbyshire.
Perhaps surprisingly, it was St Helens who then opened the scoring when accurate passing released Dani McGifford, and the winger raced 60 metres down the left touchline to dot down at the corner. Faye Gaskin goaled brilliantly.
Chantelle Crowl’s late offload sparked further momentum for Saints but a great tackle from Jones forced Erin Stott back towards her own line.
A slight fumble after the kick gave Saints a great attacking position ten metres out. Eventually Crowl was held up over the line, and a third consecutive set soon followed.
Gaskin missed a penalty-goal attempt, but the visitors maintained pressure with Gaskin darting forward on the last tackle for Crowl to crash through after 22 minutes. This time Gaskin was accurate from tee and her side led 12-0.
Wigan frittered away another opportunity on the right after 25 minutes after Holly Speakman was tackled at the side of the posts, Rowe’s wide pass only finding touch.
Rowe then sliced through the line after 31 minutes but Wigan couldn’t take advantage and conceded a penalty.
A crunching tackle from Mia Atherton won possession back for the hosts, but there was an extended stoppage when Mary Coleman stayed down, bringing Jade Gregory-Haselden into the game.
Georgia Wilson put Wigan on the board after 34 minutes when she crossed wide out on the right and Rowe goaled superbly.
But Saints struck again as Gaskin jinked through in centrefield before Vicky Whitfield stormed to the line in support from 30 metres which took her side 16-6 clear at the break.
Wigan responded after 44 minutes when Foubister set Banks free and her pace did the rest. Rowe couldn’t goal but it was back to a six-point game.
Wigan added their third try after 56 minutes when Davies to crossed wide out. Rowe kicked perfectly to draw her side level.
The try-scorer then spilled a kick from Caitlin Casey on the hour, and Saints went on the hunt.
Davies thought she had legitimately intercepted, but a Wigan hand was involved in the build-up.
Saints then struck a penalty-goal through Luci McColm to nudge them in front after 63 minutes.
Davies was ruled to have knocked on just outside her own 20 with 13 minutes remaining and the visitors built pressure for McColm to cross from Emily Rudge to stretch the lead to 22-16.
But Wigan responded after 73 minutes when Foubister found Eva Hunter and she raced to the line from 40 metres. Rowe levelled with the conversion, and had her late attempt in the closing stages.
GAMESTAR: Jenna Foubister is a rising star and her classy passes created plenty of issues for St Helens.
GAMEBREAKER: Isabel Rowe’s conversion for 22-22, although she couldn’t clinch it as her subsequent field-goal attempt failed.
MATCHFACTS
WARRIORS
1 Grace Banks
2 Anna Davies
3 Georgia Wilson
4 Molly Jones
5 Elise Derbyshire
6 Jenna Foubister
7 Isabel Rowe
8 Mary Coleman
19 Remi Wilton
20 Holly Speakman
11 Eva Hunter
10 Shaniah Power
12 Vicky Molyneux
Subs (all used)
15 Cerys Jones
16 Rease Casey
21 Jade Gregory-Haselden
22 Mia Atherton
Tries: Wilson (34), Banks (44), Davies (56), E Hunter (72)
Goals: Rowe 3/4
SAINTS
1 Beri Salihi
2 Phoebe Hook
3 Erin Stott
18 Rachael Woosey
25 Dani McGifford
13 Jodie Cunningham
7 Faye Gaskin
14 Naomi Williams
9 Katie Mottershead
10 Chantelle Crowl
11 Shona Hoyle
12 Emily Rudge
17 Caitlin Casey
Subs (all used)
8 Vicky Whitfield
16 Darcy Stott
20 Erin McDonald
23 Luci McColm
Tries: McGifford (11), Crowl (22), Whitfield (39), McColm (68)
Goals: Gaskin 2/4, McColm 1/2
SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-12, 6-12, 6-16; 10-16, 16-16, 16-18, 16-22, 22-22
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Women of the Match
Warriors: Jenna Foubister; Saints: Naomi Williams
Penalty count: 3-5
Half-time: 6-16
Referee: Lucas Seal
Attendance: 1,228