Saints Women beat rivals Wigan 26-4 on Sunday afternoon at a sunny Totally Wicked Stadium!
Saints took an early eighth minute lead. After applying some pressure, Saints shifted the ball right and Zoe Harris threw a dummy before running through a gap to open the scoring. Amy Taylor was unable to convert, 4-0 Saints led.
🔥 Zoe Harris with the show & go and goes over for the first try of the game… @saints1890women | #COYS
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) June 11, 2023
The second try came midway through the first half. Following more sustained pressure, Faye Gaskin found Shona Hoyle running a strong line and she crashed over from close range. Taylor converted, 10-0 the hosts led.
🏉 Shona Hoyle powers her way over the line and Saints extend their lead… @saints1890women | #COYS
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) June 11, 2023
Wigan then replied. Beri Salihi picked up a kick and escaped a tackle, she then found Grace Banks on the edge who raced almost the full length of the pitch to score for the visitors. Alison Burrows was unable to convert, 10-4 Wigan trailed.
Just before the end of the first 40, Saints were able to add a third try. Saints moved the ball left and Harris found makeshift centre, Tara Jones who span over and grounded the ball in the corner. Taylor missed the kick, 14-4 Saints led at the break.
🏉 Tara Jones with some superb awareness to get the ball down and restore a double-digit lead for Saints.
HT: 😇 14 – 4 🍒@saints1890women | #COYS
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) June 11, 2023
HT' 😇 Saints 14-4 Wigan 🍒⚪️
Saints have a narrow lead at the break in a physical derby day battle. Tries from Harris, Hoyle and Jones, with Wigan responding through Banks.#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking pic.twitter.com/PbC5UjIvU0
— St.Helens Women (@saints1890women) June 11, 2023
Five minutes into the second half, Saints had try number four. From a scrum, Saints went left and Harris found, Jones, she then found Luci McColm on the wing who fended off some tacklers before diving over in the corner. Taylor nailed the left touchline conversion, 20-4 Saints led.
🏉 Luci McColm turns on the burners, gives a hand-off and dives over in the corner…
😇 20-4 🍒@saints1890women | #COYS
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) June 11, 2023
The final points of the game came in the 53rd minute. Saints worked the ball right and Harris found Eboni Partington who stumbled over in the corner. Taylor added the final two points of the game, 26-4.
🏉 Eboni Partington extends the lead even further and that might just be game over…
😇 26-4 🍒@saints1890women | #COYS
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) June 11, 2023
Despite both sides having chances to add to their scores, Saints claimed the bragging right on Derby Day with a 26-4 victory!
FT' 😇 Saints 26-4 Wigan 🍒⚪️
We ran in five tries to win the derby this afternoon at a hot @TWStadium live on @TheSportsman. Tries from Harris, Hoyle, Jones, McColm & Partington. Taylor with three conversions!#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking pic.twitter.com/qYiINynqa3
— St.Helens Women (@saints1890women) June 11, 2023
Match Summary
St Helens Women Team: Zoe Harris, Rebecca Rotheram, Eboni Partington, Luci McColm, Leah Burke, Faye Gaskin, Amy Taylor, Pip Birchall, Tara Jones, Shona Hoyle, Paige Travis, Emily Rudge, Naomi Williams.
Interchanges: Vicky Whitfield, Alyx Bridge, Katie Mottershead, Megan Williams.
18th Player: Hannah Roberts.
Tries: Zoe Harris (8), Shona Hoyle (20), Tara Jones (37), Luci McColm (45), Eboni Partington (53)
Conversions: Amy Taylor (3 from 5)
Wigan Warriors Team: Beri Salihi, Kaitlin Hilton, Eva Hunter, Molly Jones, Anna Davies, Grace Banks, Alison Burrows, Holly Speakman, Carys Marsh, Jodie Morris, Victoria Molyneux, Mary Coleman, Rebecca Greenfield.
Interchanges: Emma Dwyer, Bethany Hayes, Lucy Johnson, Gabrielle Leigh.
18th Player: Olivia Harborow.
Tries: Grace Banks (33)
Conversions: Alison Burrows (0 from 1)
HT:14-4
FT: 26-4
