St.Helens Women scored a last-minute converted try against Leeds Rhinos to secure a 20-22 victory at AMT Headingley to go top of the Betfred Women's Super League.
Craig Richards & Derek Hardman had a few changes from our last league match away against Wigan Warriors a fortnight earlier. Rebecca Rotheram started on the wing due to Phoebe Hook’s failed head injury assessment at Robin Park Arena, and Zoe Harris came back into the halves. Jodie Cunningham moved back into the loose forward spot, with Caitlin Casey coming off the bench against her former side.
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First Half
It was a good first five minutes from the Saints Women, despite the very hot conditions they were facing. Leeds gave away a few penalties early on, one being offside and another being a high shot on Cunningham. We showed determination straight away as Emily Rudge went close to the opener, but she was held up in the first chance of the game.
With seven minutes gone, Leeds decided to kick early in their set, looking for a 40/20 but Beri Salihi was able to gather the ball and stop it. Moments later Leeds kicked a high ball which Dani McGifford was unable to catch, so more early pressure from the hosts with Ruby Bruce held up by the Red V Women.
There was another high shot on Cunningham, and the Saints kicked into the Leeds half of the field. On the last play of the ball, we had the Rhinos on their own line creating pressure for the first time. Faye Gaskin tried a short kick which unfortunately came of a Rhinos player.
Sixteen minutes had passed when Zoe Harris had to come off the field due to a knee injury which stopped her evening. Caitlin Casey came on as a replacement.
Half way through the opening forty, the Rhinos were the first team to put points on the board. Bethan Dainton got the hosts moving on the left before getting dragged down short of the try-line. Leeds moved it out right for Tally Bryer to ground it in the corner, Mel Howard missed the conversion attempt, 4-0.
Hardman & Richards introduced Vicky Whitfield and Darcy Stott off the bench, as Leeds looked to keep the pressure on. A late six-again allowed them to get a roll on before Luci McColm dealt with a kick to stop the attack.
Whitfield made her presence known quickly with a strong busting run. Cunningham now in the halves due to Harris’ injury kicked towards the post and the ball came off the post pad where Gaskin then lead the chase and was able to ground the ball. She kicked her own conversion adding the two, 4-6.
Minutes later, Gaskin scored again just minutes after her first. It was a smart move from Gaskin who dummied with the the ball on the left side, she was then able to charge over the line calmly. Faye added the extra two taking the score to 4-12, allowing the Red V to enter the changing rooms with an 8 point lead.
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Second Half
It didn’t take the Saints long to strike following the break. Just a couple of minutes into the half Dani McGifford flew down the left side of the wing to finish off some sharp Saints passing, making sure no one could catch her from 20m out, diving in at the corner. Gaskin was just short with her conversion attempt, 4-16.
Rachael Woosey did a brilliant run down the left side, creating momentum as we edged closer to Leeds’ line looking to add to our lead, but we were unable to score from it. The Red V women then performed a great defensive set; they were able to keep the Rhinos held on our line. Whitfield and Stott rotated at props with Crowl and Williams returning.
Just before the hour mark, Leeds went over and scored two quickfire tries to get back in the game. We were able to initially defend the Rhinos as they put pressure on out line, but Mel Howard dummied and was able to break through, but not add the conversion, 8-16. However, just moments later Howard went over again, she placed the ball right under the sticks this time, allowing Tally Bryer to kick the conversion, 14-16.
We entered an arm wrestle period of the game under the hot, hot sun, with temperatures pitchside near the 30 degree mark. The hosts scored again in the with twelve minutes to go, it was Ruby Bruce who picked the ball up from dummy half and was able to break through our defensive line. Howard back on kicking added the two allowing Leeds to take the lead for the first time, 20-16.
With ten minutes to go and after a strong kick from the Rhinos on their last play of the ball, Salihi was able to lead the chase putting their attacking set to an end. Leeds then called for a Captain’s Challenge, contesting the referees call of a knock on. Their challenge was deemed unsuccessful, and the game resumed.
With the final whistle approaching, Salihi ran back to deal with a Leeds kick which bounced into the in-goal area. Beri did not pick up the ball cleanly and run away from the Rhinos chase, with Leeds claiming they scored. The Video Ref was called upon to check, and Salihi had grounded the ball on our line preventing Leeds try.
The Rhinos then opted to kick for the two off a penalty, with three minutes remaining, however Howard missed the attempt.
With less than a minute remaining of the match, Faye Gaskin hoisted a high kick up with Saints chasing under it. The Rhinos lost it in the catch attempt and Luci McColm was there to claim it, stopped just inches off the line. Mottershead from the play of the ball passed to Williams, who found Cunningham on the right and the Saints captain passed it to Caitlin Casey to dive over and score on the right wing making the score 20-20! The same score the Round One clash between Saints and Leeds finished.
Faye Gaskin though had the conversion attempt to snatch a dramatic win, just inches off the whitewash of the sidelines. With the game of the line and in hostile territory, she took her strides, kicked the ball and over the crossbar it went with the Touch Judges flags raised to confirm the conversion and a big win!
A thrilling Women’s Super League clash that ensured the Saints’ unbeaten start to the league campaign continued, and moved the Red V into first place in the table.
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Match Summary
Leeds Team: Ebony Stead, Liv Whitehead, Bethan Dainton, Evie Cousins, Tally Bryer, Mel Howard, Ruby Walker, Izzy Northop, Ruby Bruce, Ella Donnelly, Lucy Murray, Shannon Brown, Bella Sykes
Interchanges: Frankie Blakey, Connie Boyd, Kaiya Glynn, Grace Field
18th Player: Sophie Nuthall
Tries: Tally Bryer 20, Mel Howard 58, 59, Ruby Bruce 68
Conversions: Howard 2/3, Bryer 1/1
Saints Team: Beri Salihi, Rebecca Rotherham, Rachael Woosey, Luci McColm, Dani McGifford, Zoe Harris, Faye Gaskin, Naomi Williams, Katie Mottershead, Channy Crowl, Shona Hoyle, Emily Rudge, Jodie Cunningham
Interchanges: Vicky Whitfield, Darcy Stott, Caitlin Casey, Erin McDonald
18th Player: Hollie Bawden
Tries: Gaskin 26 33, McGifford 43, Casey 79
Conversions: 3/4
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