Saints Women’s second half performance defeats the Rovers

A strong first half performance from an injury hit Featherstone counted for little, as they were beaten 50-7 by the Saints Women at the LD Nutrition Stadium.

Saints took the lead in the 15th minute, after a tight opening to the game as Tara Jones passed to Chantelle Crowl close to the Rovers line and the latter powered her way over from close range. She converted her own try to put the Saints 6-0 up.

Saints thought they had their second three minutes before half-time after Emily Rudge scored under the sticks after a pass by Jodie Cunningham, but the referee brought it back for a forward pass.

The two sides went in level at the break though, Kayleigh Bullman scoring in the corner for the Rovers, after the referee awarded them a penalty. The conversion from the right touchline was met with big cheers from the Rovers fans.

Katie Hepworth then added a one pointer for the hosts four minutes after the break, before Saints took the lead in the 48th minute, working the ball from left to right near their opponents line, Rhianna Burke scoring on the overlap.

Saints added another in the 52nd minute through some individual brilliance from Jodie Cunningham. She broke through some tackles in the middle of the pitch, before forcing herself over the try-line, Harris added the conversion to make it 16-7.

Saints continued their scoring spree just before the hour mark, with a great team try down the short side. On the right Paige Travis passed to Katie-May Williams on her outside and she gave the ball back to Travis who scored underneath the sticks, Crowl added the conversion for 22-7.

Claire Mullaney then added Saints’ fifth try of the game, powering over from close range. Harris missed the conversion.

The redvee weren’t done there as in the 65th minute, Tara Jones spotted a gap before going almost half the length of the pitch to score. Crowl added the extra two to keep up her 100% record and making it 32-7.

There was still time for another three Saints tries, Sarah Lovejoy got the ball 40 metres out, before she stepped past three defenders and raced away to score underneath the sticks, Crowl adding the extra two. Two minutes later, good work by Saints near the Rovers line allowed Emily Rudge to get her try, after having one chalked off earlier in the game. The final Saints try came with the last play of the game, Darcy Stott coming onto the ball with momentum and a good line to power her way over for her first Saints try and Crowl’s conversion meant it ended Rovers 7-50 Saints.

Match Summary

Featherstone Team – Kayleigh Bulman, Chloe Reynolds, Grace Cotton, Brogan Kennedy, Grace Dyke, Katie Hepworth, Hannah Bairstow, Paige Stevens, Charley Blackburn, Steph Grenham, Nat Hallowell, Jess Hammond, Chloe Brown.

Interchanges – Chelsea Senior, Cairo Newby.

Tries – Kayleigh Bulman.

Goals – Katie Hepworth (1 from 1).

Drop-goals – Katie Hepworth.

Saints Team – Rebecca Rotheram, Rebecca Avenall, Katie-May Williams, Rhianna Burke, Eboni Partington, Zoe Harris, Jodie Cunningham, Sarah Lovejoy, Tara Jones, Claire Mullaney, Darcy Stott, Emily Rudge, Chantelle Crowl Subs – Pip Birchall, Lizzie Gladman, Dawn Taylor, Paige Travis.

Tries – Chantelle Crowl, Rhianna Burke, Jodie Cunningham, Paige Travis, Claire Mullaney, Tara Jones, Sarah Lovejoy, Emily Rudge, Darcy Stott.

Goals – Chantelle Crowl (6 from 6), Zoe Harris (1 from 3).