Saints Women open campaign with Challenge Cup win!

Saints beat Barrow 68-0 in tough Cumbrian conditions to open their 2022 campaign off as it means to go on!

Saints took a second minute lead as Amy Hardcastle ran hard onto a pass and broke through the Barrow line to score! Zoe Harris converted, 6-0. The lead was extended two minutes later Jodie Cunningham finding Paige Travis close to the line who powered her way over from close range. Zoe Harris converted, 12-0.

Our third try of the afternoon came in the tenth minute. Hardcastle ran well onto another flat pass close to the line before stretching over to score! Harris missed the kick, 16-0. Our fourth try came in the 24th minute. Saints forced a Barrow error in their own 30, from the scrum we worked the ball out right and Harris found Leah Burke to score in the corner. Harris hit the post with the kick, 20-0.

It took until the final play of the half for our fifth try. A play down the right side saw Cunningham throw a cut-0ut pass for Burke who strolled in for her second try of the afternoon. Harris unable to convert, 24-0 as we went into the break.

The second half started with a bang! Amy Hardcastle with a break downfield and she could not be stopped as she raced away to score. Harris converted, 30-0.A few minutes later we had our second hat-trick of the afternoon as Leah Burke slid over from close range! Harris missed the extras, 34-0.

Tara Jones then added her name to the try-scoring list as she spotted a gap from close range and exploited it to further increase our lead! Harris converted, 40-0.

In the 55th minute it was time for Amy Hardcastle’s FOURTH try of the game. Once again she ran a great line and exploited it to score! Harris converted again, 46-0.

Our tenth try of the afternoon came in the 63rd minute, as good work down the left allowed Danielle Bush to score in the corner! Harris converted, 52-0. A big break downfield from Victoria Whitfield followed in the 66th minute, she then sprinted to score underneath the sticks! Harris converted, 58-0.

Two more late Saints tries ended the game. First Paige Travis did some great work down the left-hand side to score. Harris missed the kick, 62-0. And our thirteenth and final try of the game was scored by debutant Katie Mottershead, as she pinched one from dummy half on the hooter. Harris converted the try which meant Saints emerged 68-0 victors in Cumbria on Saturday afternoon.

Barrow Raiders Ladies Team: Michelle Larkin, Kate Birchall, Natalie Saunders, Emily Stirzaker, Sam Norman, Leah Cottier, Jodie Litherland, Hannah Sherlock, Beth Lindsay, Kerrie-Ann Smith, Claire Hutchinson, Vanessa Temple, Demi Fisher.

Interchanges: Mia Dobson, Alice Rush, Kelly Friend, Louise Clarke.

Saints Women Team: Rebecca Rotheram, Leah Burke, Carrie Roberts, Amy Hardcastle, Danielle Bush, Zoe Harris, Jodie Cunningham, Isabelle Rudge, Tara Jones, Victoria Whitfield, Naomi Williams, Paige Travis, Emily Rudge.

Interchanges: Alice Sandham, Philippa Birchall, Katie Mottershead, Eboni Partington.

Tries: Amy Hardcastle (2, 10, 42, 55), Paige Travis (4, 75), Leah Burke (24, 40, 45), Tara Jones (50), Danielle Bush (63), Victoria Whitfield (66), Katie Mottershead (80)

Conversions: Zoe Harris (8 from 13)

HT: 0-24

FT: 0-68