Saints women joined our men’s team in booking their place in the semi-finals of their respective Betfred Challenge Cup competition as they beat a spirited Featherstone side in Warrington.
Saints took an early third minute lead, Faye Gaskin threw a dummy before sprinting to the sticks to give us the perfect start. She couldn’t convert her own try, 4-0 Saints led.
That lead was added too three minutes later, Amy Hardcastle with good work down the left before stepping the fullback to score under the sticks. Gaskin converted, 10-0.
The two try-scorers then combined for Saints’ third try of the afternoon, Gaskin finding Hardcastle with space on the left and she made the most of the open field in front of her to score. Gaskin added the extras, 16-0.
Hardcastle then completed her hat-trick in the opening quarter of the game. She was set free with 40 metres to go and nobody was able to get close to the centre as she scored in the left corner. Gaskin missed a tricky kick, 20-0.
Saints then conceded their first try of the season, as Lauren Roberts forced her way over from close range. The conversion went wide. And that was the final score of the half as Saints led 20-4 at the break.
Three minutes into the second half Saints extended their lead, once again down the left side as Danielle Bush slid over in the corner. Gaskin’s conversion went wide, 24-4. Another try followed soon after, Chantelle Crowl laid the ball off to Emily Rudge who was travelling at speed and she scored under the sticks. Gaskin converted, 30-4.
On the hour mark Saints got their seventh try of the afternoon as Jodie Cunningham spotted a gap from dummy half and forced her way over. Gaskin missed the conversion, 34-4. Gaskin then added her second of the afternoon after a flowing Saints move from right to left. Beth Stott took over kicking duties but missed a tough kick, 38-4.
Tara Jones added our ninth try of the afternoon late on, reacting quickest to a loose ball to touch down. Stott nailed another difficult kick, 44-4.
Andrea Dobson added a late consolation for the Yorkshire team, which was converted by Beth Blacklock, but it wasn’t enough as Saints won 44-10.
We will face the Leeds Rhinos in the Challenge Cup semi-final on Saturday 22nd May.
Saints Team: Rachael Woosey, Danielle Bush, Amy Hardcastle, Naomi Williams, Eboni Partington, Beth Stott , Faye Gaskin, Dawn Akrigg, Tara Jones, Chantelle Crowl, Emily Rudge, Pip Birchall, Jodie Cunningham
Interchanges: Isabelle Rudge, Paige Travis, Zoe Harris, Alice Sandham
Tries: Faye Gaskin (3, 66), Amy Hardcastle (6, 14, 20), Danielle Bush (44), Emily Rudge (49), Jodie Cunningham (60), Tara Jones (77)
Conversions: Faye Gaskin (3 from 7), Beth Stott (1 from 2)
Featherstone Rovers Team: Kayleigh Bulman, Leilah Mills, Beth Blacklock, Jesscia Courtman, Chloe Billington, Andrea Dobson, Olivia Grace, Zoe Teece, Cairo Newby, Brogan Churm, Jessica Hammond, Hannah Watt, Katherine Hepworth
Interchanges: Matilda Butler, Chloe Reynolds, Helen Teasdale, Lauren Roberts
Tries: Lauren Roberts (26), Andrea Dobson (80)
Conversions: Katie Hepworth (0 from 1), Beth Blacklock (1 from 1)
HT: 20-4
FT: 44-10
