St.Helens Women ran in seventeen tries in an 86-0 victory over Warrington Wolves Women in Round 5 of the Betfred Women's Super League.
Derek Hardman & Craig Richards moved captain Jodie Cunningham into the halves, with Caitlin Casey named at loose forward, whilst Channy Crowl returned to starting prop after Darcy Stott’s broken nose injury from the Barrow fixture. Dani McGifford & Hollie Bawden also came back onto the bench for Saints.
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First Half
Straight away from kick off the Saints delivered a great first defensive set. They were able to keep Warrington in their own half before Wire kicked on last, with our full-back Beri Salihi catching the ball with ease. From the play of the ball good yards were gained, and after a series of quick passes Emily Rudge broke the deadlock in the 3rd minute, scoring the first try of the game but also her first try of the season. Faye Gaskin missed the kick from the right side, 4-0.
Saints’ second came shortly after the restart, as Amy Hardcastle hit a great line on the left side and scored a try to increase the advantage with just 5 minutes gone. Gaskin missed her conversion attempt, 8-0. Shortly after her try Hardcastle unfortunately had to come off the pitch due to injury an leg injury. Dani McGifford came on in her stead.
It was another great defensive set from the Red V Women, as Phoebe Hook did an outstanding tackle on a Warrington winger taking her into touch. Then shortly after the third try came in the 10th minute. It was a brilliant run from Gaskin who dummied and passed the ball to Rudge, who was then able to score her second try of the game. Gaskin got her first conversion of the game adding the extra two points, 14-0. Beri Salihi then grabbed an unconverted try of her own in the 16th minute after a smart pass on the right side from Jodie Cunningham.
Vicky Whitfield came off the bench and into the action, and we soon struck again in the 20th minute. The Saints played it left and with a quick pass from Rudge to Rachael Woosey who was able to dive over the line securing her first try of the game, goal attempt missed though for 22-0. It was closely followed by McGifford bagging her first try of the game, the ball was played left and McGifford dived over the try line, 26-0, but the extra two points not added.
We then saw another interchange for the Saints in the 27th minute, with Channy Crowl coming off and Erin McDonald going onto the pitch. The ball was then played right in our attacking set which fell into the hands of Hook, and no Wire player could keep up with her speed as she flew over the try line. Gaskin got her second conversion of the game taking the score to, 32-0.
In the closing minutes of the first half, there was a quick pass to Erin Stott who was then able to find a gap through Wire’s defence and score a try. It was another missed kick attempt from Gaskin, but after a strong 40 minutes the Saints went into the changing rooms at half time in the lead, 36-0.
Second Half
The Red V women came back out and gave a strong defensive set, determined to keep the visitors scoreless. And it didn’t take long for Richards & Hardman’s girls to strike again, in the 44th minute McGifford was passed the ball on the wing, she then proceeded to come back into the middle to score right under the sticks. Gaskin got the conversion, 42-0, early in the half.
The next try came two minutes later from the captain. It was a smart pass from Gaskin on the right side which allowed Cunningham to bag her first try of the game, Gaskin missed the conversion 46-0.
There was then a double interchange for Saints Women as Rudge and Whitfield came off, with Williams and Hollie Bawden coming on. The Saints skipper then went over again in the 53rd minute, Hoyle did a great run followed with a quick pass to Cunningham who then caught the ball and flew over the try line with good speed. Gaskin converted, 52-0.
Jodie Cunningham struck yet again moments later, earning a hat-trick! Cunningham ran the ball in from 10 meters out ensuring no Wire player could stop her. Gaskin did a great conversion, adding the kick for a 58-0 scoreline.
Caitlin Casey earned herself the next try, as the ball was played down the left side allowing her to go over the try line with ease. Gaskin missed the kick, 62-0.
McGifford went over for her third with a smart pass from Salihi, and no Warrington player was able to catch her pace and she scored in the left corner. Gaskin added the conversion taking the score to 68-0 with less than 15 minutes remaining.
Just moments later from a set restart, Salihi got her second try. The ball was played right and she found a gap to break-through and she forced her way in to score. It was followed by another good conversion from Gaskin, 74-0, and then a try for the goal-kicker too. Faye was able to break Wire’s line to go over and score, adding another two points with a kick, 80-0.
With 5 minutes left to play there was an interchange for the Saints, Williams and Rudge went back on. St Helens then grabbed one final try as the clock ticked into the final moments. A quick pass from Casey in the middle to Shona Hoyle saw her dive over the try line. Gaskin was able to get the conversion making the final score 86-0.
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Match Summary
Saints team: Beri Salihi, Phoebe Hook, Erin Stott, Amy Hardcastle, Racheal Woosey, Jodie Cuningham, Faye Gaskin, Naomi Williams, Katie Mottershead, Channy Crowl, Shona Hoyle, Emily Rudge, Caitlin Casey
Interchanges: Vicky Whitfield, Erin McDonald, Dani McGifford, Hollie Bawden
18th Player: Alyx Bridge
Tries: Rudge (3, 10), Hardcastle (5), Salihi (16, 71), Woosey (20), McGifford (23, 44, 65), Hook (30), Stott (34), Cunningham (47, 53, 56), Casey (59), Gaskin (74), Hoyle (79)
Conversions: Gaskin 9/17
Warrington team: Sydney Alderman-Smith, Imogen Roberts, Nicole Barnett, Hannah Goddard, Isabelle Maylon, Hollie Brussels, Hollie Gregory, Ellie Dooney, Danielle Bound, Megan Condilffe, Jessica Panayiotou, Emma Lowe, Albany Coates
Interchanges: Lucy Pinter, Ruby Stokes, Regan Davies, Olivia Hill
