St.Helens Women delivered a dominant performance with 17 unanswered tries in a 90-0 victory over Barrow Raiders Ladies in Round 11 of the Betfred Women’s Super League.
It was a milestone day for the Saints’ #10 Channy Crowl, as she became the first woman to play for St.Helens 100 times, but what is more impressive is that each appearance of those 100 have all seen her play in the starting matchday thirteen.
Emily Rudge in the back-row was captain for the match, with Rebecca Rotheram at fullback, and Naomi Williams at loose forward.
Mia Drescher was named on the bench, becoming the latest Saints Women’s Academy product to develop with the Club and make her debut.
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It was a fast and strong start from the Red V women as they immediately showed their determination on the pitch. It only took two minutes before Dani McGifford bagged her first try of the game. The ball was played left and that’s when it fell into the hands of McGifford who broke through Barrow’s line and scored. Faye Gaskin was on kicks but her first attempt was unsuccessful, 4-0.
The Saint’s Women defence was strong, as they were able to keep the opponents within their own half in each early defensive set played, Channy Crowl, Naomi Williams and Katie Mottershead put in some big hits to keep the Raiders back.
Only eight minutes had been played when Saints scored again, and it was Gaskin who went over. After some quick passes, she dummied the ball and dodged Barrows defence to go in and get the try. She then converted her own score, earning herself the extra two points, 10-0.
Minutes later we went close again, the ball was played right where Zoe Harris caught it, but she unfortunately lost the ball on the Raiders line, giving them the ball back. However, on our next attacking set with a quick pass from Williams to Harris who then passed the ball to Phoebe Hook on the right wing she was able to glide over the try-line. Gaskin was successful with her conversion attempt taking the score to 16-0 just before the end of the first quarter of the match.
Going back-to-back, Saints scored again, and it was McGifford who grabbed her second. After receiving the ball from Woosey on the edge she dove over in the corner. It was an unlucky conversion attempt from Gaskin as the ball went just wide, 20-0. The Saints Women then made their first interchange of the game, Vicky Whitfield came on with Darcy Stott leaving the field.
We soon struck again with McColm breaking through the visitor’s line to claim her first try of the game. Gaskin kicked the ball from the right side, and it curved perfectly through the sticks, 26-0. Luci then grabbed another in quickfire fashion in the next set. Barrow were unable to stop Rebecca Rotheram who fed an excellent pass to McColm, the centre broke through the defence and grounded the ball behind the sticks. Gaskin kicked the conversion with ease to make it 32-0.
With less than ten minutes till half time, the Red V women showed strong defence as they were able to keep the Raiders back in their first major chance of the game. Crowl made way for Erin McDonald coming on.
In our next attacking set, we decided to play the ball left and with some quick hands Woosey was able to collect the ball and dive in to score a try! Gaskin’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful this time round, 36-0.
Determined to finish off the opening half with one more try, Rebecca Rotheram spotted a gap and broke through Barrow’s line, grounding the ball in the right corner. Gaskin kicked the ball with force, and it flew through the sticks, securing the extra two points to make it 42-0 for the break.
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Wanting to keep up their strong start and post more points, the Saints Women came out firing in the second half. McGifford went over again in our first attacking set back out on the field, earning herself a hat-trick! Gaski’s conversion attempt was unlucky, 46-0.
Moments later Whitfield made her mark and scored a fantastic try, the #8 broke through Barrow’s line and charged towards try-line ensuring no one would catch her, she was unstoppable from distance! Gaskin kicked the ball right through the sticks, 52-0, with less than five minutes played following the restart.
It was Hollie Bawden who went over for us next, she powered through and got the ball down in the corner with ease. It was an unlucky kick from Gaskin as the ball fell short of the post, 56-0.
Whitfield then struck again! It was a brilliant pass from hooker Katie Mottershead to Vic who dodged her way past the Raiders and sprinted towards the try line, again from distance, grounding the ball right under sticks, which allowed Gaskin to get her conversion attempt easily, 62-0.
There was then an interchange for the Red V women as Caitlin Maylor entered the pitch and Mottershead coming off. Whitfield then went over again, claiming herself a hat-trick within 20 minutes of the second half! She scored right by the sticks which led Gaskin to kick a successful conversion, 68-0.
On the hour mark, Mia Drescher came on the field making her debut for St Helens Women. We also saw Crowl and Stott return to the pitch with Gaskin, McDonald and Whitfield coming off.
Zoe Harris then bagged herself the next try, with this being her first game back after being injured in the Leeds away match in July. It was set up with a few quick passes, and the ball was collected by Harris who dodged her way through the opposition and scored a try. McColm took over on kicking duties, adding her first attempt for a 74-0 scoreline.
It was then another try from Woosey, as she caught the ball near the wing and grounded it right near the corner. McColm was unable to get the kick this time round, 78-0 it remained.
With ten minutes left to play, Barrow went close for the first time in the second half, but the Red V Women’s defence was too good. They were able to push Barrow into touch putting their chance of scoring to an end.
We then made another interchange which saw McDonald return to the pitch, and Williams come off. In our next play of the ball, Bawden made a bulldozing run as she dummied the ball and broke her way through the Raiders line, scoring her second try right under the sticks. With no hesitation McColm got her conversion attempt taking the score to 84-0 with less than five minutes left to play.
Then on her 100th appearance for St Helens Women, Channy Crowl was able to power her way through from closer range. Overjoyed the team all raced to celebrate with her after scoring on her milestone day. Whilst Crowl and the crowd hoped that the Saints’ #10 would be permitted to kick the conversion, Heads Coaches Craig Richards & Derek Hardman declined. McColm kicked the conversion taking the final score to 90-0.
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Match Summary
Saints Team: Rebecca Rotheram, Phoebe Hook, Luci McColm, Rachael Woosey, Dani McGifford, Zoe Harris, Faye Gaskin, Darcy Stott, Katie Mottershead, Channy Crowl, Hollie Bawden, Emily Rudge, Naomi Williams
Interchanges: Vicky Whitfield, Caitlin Maylor, Erin McDonald, Mia Drescher
18th Player: Olivia Leach
Tries: McGifford (2,21,42) Gaskin (8) Hook (18) McColm (27, 30) Woosey (35, 68) Rotheram (38) Whitfield (44, 51, 57) Bawden (48, 72) Harris (64) Crowl (76)
Conversions: Gaskin 8/13 McColm 3/4
Barrow Team: Chloe Capstick, Frances Harley, Emily Stirzaker, Claire Hutchinson, Hannah Thompson, Nicole Benson, Bethany Pattinson, Mia Dobson, Beth Lindsay, Jodie Morley, Madeline Neale, Vanessa Temple, Leah Cottier
Interchanges: Shannon Parker, Amy Sunderland, India Jackson, Imogen Smillie
18th Player: Charlotte Todhunter
HT: 42-0
FT: 90-0
You can download or print the official teamsheet by clicking here.
