St.Helens Women put on a strong performance back at home against Leigh Leopards Women, winning 80-0 at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Joint Head Coaches Craig Richards and Derek Hardman made four changes to the squad that was victorious over Leeds Rhinos at Headingley last time out. Zoe Harris, Faye Gaskin, Channy Crowl and Shona Hoyle stepped out of the side, whilst Erin McDonald returned to the starting team, with Phoebe Hook, Georgia Sutherland and Caitlin Maylor on the bench.
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Our attack was strong from the sound of the first whistle, and it only took three minutes before Dani McGifford scored the first points of the game. Straight of the play of the ball the Red V Women did a few quick passes to the left were McGifford caught the ball, she then flew over the try line with ease. Luci McColm was on kicks but missed her first conversion attempt, 4-0.
Moments later, the Saints struck again, it was a smart offload from McGifford on the wing to Rachael Woosey who was able to break through the Leopards defence and dive over the try line. McColm successfully kicked her first conversion of the day, giving us the extra two points for 10-0.
The first ten minutes were strong from the Saints Women in both attack and defence, as the Leopards could not get close to our line and we made our early chance count. Off a set up from a smart pass by Emily Rudge down the left side, and McGifford collected the ball and was able to run right through the middle of the pitch scoring right by the sticks for her second score. McColm made it 16-0 with only 12 minutes gone.
Darcy Stott grabbed our fourth four-pointer by breaking through the Leopards defensive line and running under the posts, making for an easy McColm conversion, 22-0.
The Leopards edged closer to our line for the first time after the twenty minute mark decided to kick on the last, but fullback Beri Salihi lead the chase of the ball and ending Leigh’s dangerous set. Our #1 would then score at the other of the field not long after. From a scrum Salihi was able to collect the ball and raced through Leigh’s defence to ground it in the right corner for an unconverted try, 26-0.
Hardman & Richards’ Saints made it back-to-back scores before just before the half hour. A quick pass from Salihi to Rebecca Rotheram, who cut through the middle of the Leythers defence, and found a pass to Hollie Bawden who got our sixth try of the game, this one unconverted for a thirty point lead.
Vicky Whitfield came on replacing Darcy Stott, and it didn’t take long for her to create an impact. Whitfield was just held up short on the Leopards line increasing the momentum on the field as the Saints Women were eager to score again before half time. However, there was a short stoppage of play as Toryn Blackwood needed to be assessed before she was given an all clear to play on. That was the final major moment of the half, and the Saints had a strong lead heading into the break.
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The Saints Women came back out for the second half full of determination, continuing to turn Leigh away and pinned in their own half. Five minutes following the restart, we played the ball with quick hands, Blackwood was able to tackle McGifford but the Leopards were unable to stop McColm who broke through and scored in the right corner, but she was just short with her conversion attempt, 34-0.
Minutes later the Red V women edged closer to the Leopards line, putting pressure on them. Leigh were unable to stop Georgia Sutherland as she powered through their line and grounded the ball. McColm kicked the conversion this time bringing the team up to 40 points.
The Saints would hit a real purple patch of try scoring, with four tries back-to-back!
Firstly, Dani McGifford got her hat-trick, with the winger able to catch the ball down the left side off more quick passing that created space, and she dived into the corner. McColm’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful, 44-0.
What followed next was unbelievable try from Katie Mottershead who collected the ball halfway out. She ran through and evaded the Leopards defensive line, ensuring no one could stop her. The hooker went over next to the sticks. McColm added the two to bring the Red V up to the half century.
The Saints were unstoppable, the third of the quick-fire four came from captain Jodie Cunningham who did a brilliant run through the Leigh line and raced under the posts for McColm to turn it into 56-0 just before the hour mark.
A ruthless attacking period then saw Phoebe Hook score. More quick hands on the left side worked the ball to Hook, she then flew down the wing with the Leopards left reaching out for her, but she ran though and into the middle dodging defenders to ground the ball under the post. McColm slotted over the kick for a 62-0 scoreline.
Hook struck again, a sharp, on the money pass from Woosey saw the winger once again race down the left wing, grabbing her second converted try of the game – 68-0.
With ten minutes left to play, McColm picked up her second try of the game, Stott got away an offload which allowed Luci to dive over the try line and then convert her own try, 74-0.
The final hooter was approaching with seconds left to play, but that didn’t stop Woosey who did an amazing run and broke through Leigh’s line and score in the middle for our final try of the game. McColm kicked her final conversion taking her personal points tally to 28 points.
A brilliant, ruthless display from St.Helens Women over Leigh Leopards Women to win 80-0, giving Leigh their heaviest ever defeat.
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Match Summary
Saints team: Salihi, McGifford, Woosey, McColm, Rotheram, Cunningham, Casey, McDonald, Mottershead, Stott, Rudge, Bawden, Williams
Interchanges: Hook, Whitfield, Sutherland, Maylor
18th Player: Drescher
Tries: McGifford 3, Woosey 2, Stott, Salihi, Bawden, McColm 2, Sutherland, Mottershead, Cunningham, Hook 2
Conversions: McColm 10/15
Leigh team: Greenfield, Blackwood, Burke, Cobain, Johnston, Taylor, Knowles, Dainty, Howard, Johnson, Morris, Roberts, Latchford
Interchanges: Fisher, Gordon, Baggaley, Hill
18th Player: Higson
