St Helens Women have picked up their second piece of silverware of the season so far, with a 52-0 win over local rivals Wigan at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Sunday afternoon which saw us crowned the 2021 League Leaders' Shield Winners.
Saints took an early second minute lead. A flowing move from left to right ended with Naomi Williams finding Carrie Roberts who sprinted to score in the right corner. Beth Stott’s conversion attempt from the right touchline went narrowly wide, 4-0 Saints led.
That lead was extended in the 10th minute. Saints found space down their left-hand side, Rachael Woosey found Danielle Bush with acres of space on the left wing, she then returned the pass on her inside and Woosey sprinted to score to the left of the sticks. Stott missed the conversion, 8-0 we led.
Saints thought they had added their third try a few minutes later, but Bush’s foot was judged to have gone into touch before she grounded the ball. Saints did grab another just before the half-hour mark. Tara Jones picked up the ball from dummy half within her own half and escaped multiple tackles to break into Wigan territory, she found Roberts on her inside who then ran towards the sticks to score under them. Stott converted, Saints led 14-0.
Saints added their fourth try of the afternoon three minutes into the second half as Paige Travis powered over from close range to score. Stott added the extras to make it 20-0.
Another try came three minutes later. Woosey got the ball thirty meters out and exploited a gap to score next to the sticks. Stott added the extras, 26-0 we led.
Jodie Cunningham then made a big break downfield and off the back of it Saints exposed the retreating Wigan defence which allowed Alice Sandham to score next to the sticks. Stott added the two, 32-0.
Roberts then turned provider as she set up winger Leah Burke to crash over from close range , and it seemed almost a formality at this point Saints would be crowned League Leaders’ Shield Winners for 2021. Stott missed the conversion, 36-0.
Amy Hardcastle then added her name to the list of scorers, as she made a break down the left-hand side and finished it herself. Stott added the conversion to make it 42-0.
Naomi Williams added the penultimate try of the game with five minutes to go out wide in the right corner. Stott was unable to add the extras.
Hardcastle then grabbed her second try of the game on the hooter, Stott added the extras, as Saints claimed the League Leaders’ Shield with a comfortable 52-0 win over local rivals Wigan.
Saints Team: Rachael Woosey, Danielle Bush, Carrie Roberts, Amy Hardcastle, Leah Burke, Beth Stott, Zoe Harris, Isabelle Rudge, Tara Jones, Chantelle Crowl, Naomi Williams, Emily Rudge, Jodie Cunningham.
Interchanges: Victoria Whitfield, Paige Travis, Pip Birchall, Alice Sandham.
Tries: Carrie Roberts (2, 28), Rachael Woosey (10, 46), Paige Travis (43), Alice Sandham (54), Leah Burke (66), Amy Hardcastle (70, 79), Naomi Williams (75)
Conversions: Beth Stott (6 from 10)
Wigan Warriors Team: Aimee Cleaver, Georgia Wilson, Emily Baggaley, Emily Stirzaker, Anna Davies, Carys Marsh, Clare Radford, Lucy Baggaley, Emma Dwyer, Jade Gregory-Haseldon, Victoria Molyneux, Megan Bragg, Holly Speakman.
Interchanges: Freya Hellin, Leah Darbyshire, Bethany Hayes, Kaitlin Hilton.
Tries:
Conversions:
HT: 14-0
FT: 52-0
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