Saints ran in five tries on Sunday afternoon in West Yorkshire as we beat Leeds 30-22 to keep our League Leaders Shield dream alive!

Leeds took the lead in the sixth minute. The hosts made a break down the right wing and Hanna Butcher found Tasha Gaines on her outside to dive over. Winfield-Hill was unable to convert, 4-0.

Saints responded well by applying plenty of pressure and got on levels terms in the 17th minute. Jodie Cunningham made a break down the right edge and was able to get a good offload away to Rachael Woosey who was able to stroll over. Beth Stott converted, 6-4 Saints led.

Saints continued to push forward and got their second try four minutes later. The ball was moved from right to left and Cunningham found Amy Hardcastle who broke through a gap to score. Stott converted, 12-4 Saints led.

The same two players were involved in our third try in the 32nd minute. Saints kept the ball alive as Cunningham found Hardcastle, who threw a good offload to Leah Burke and she broke a Leeds tackle before diving over to score. Stott’s conversion bounced off the bar and post before bouncing out, 16-4.

Leeds replied late in the half.  Saints had the Rhinos pinned in their own 20 until Georgia Roche made a big break downfield. Off the back of it Adaoha Akwiwu spotted a gap to crash over and reduce the deficit. Winfield-Hill converted, 16-10 Saints led at the break.

Saints started the second half well and increased their lead in the 44th minute. Close to the Rhinos line the ball was fed to Paige Travis and she refused to be tackled as she dragged some Rhinos defenders over the try-line to score. Stott converted, 22-10. Saints added an extra two points just after the hour mark as the Rhinos got caught offside. Stott made no mistake, 24-10.

Saints made sure of the win with their fifth try with just over ten minutes to go. Close to the Rhinos line the ball was once again kept alive as Hardcastle offloaded to Emily Rudge and she forced her way over to score. Stott converted, 30-10.

The Rhinos scored two late tries to narrow the deficit. First Butcher went over from dummy half after the Saints had held the Rhinos up well on their line, Winfield-Hill converting, 30-16. That was followed by a Roche kick which was gathered by Winfield-Hill who then rounded Rebecca Rotheram to score. Winfield-Hill converted but it was to only be a consolation, as Saints beat Leeds 30-22 at Emerald Headingley to keep their League Leaders Shield dreams alive.

Match Summary

Leeds Rhinos Women Team: Francesca Goldthorp, Natasha Gaines, Hanna Butcher, Caitlin Beevers, Sophie Robinson, Georgia Roche, Courtney Winfield-Hill, Chloe Kerrigan, Keara Bennett, Danielle Anderson, Sophie Nuttall, Adaoha Akwiwu, Zoe Hornby.

Interchanges: Alexandra Barnes, Jasmine Cudjoe, Emma Lumley, Bethany Lockwood.

Tries: Tasha Gaines (6), Adaoha Akwiwu (37), Hanna Butcher (78), Courtney Winfield-Hill (80)

Conversions: Courtney Winfield-Hill (3 from 4)

Saints Women Team: Rebecca Rotheram, Leah Burke, Rachael Woosey, Amy Hardcastle, Eboni Partington, Beth Stott, Zoe Harris, Chantelle Crowl, Tara Jones, Isabelle Rudge, Paige Travis, Emily Rudge, Jodie Cunningham.

Interchanges: Victoria Whitfield, Alice Sandham, Shona Hoyle, Danielle Bush.

Tries: Rachael Woosey (17), Amy Hardcastle (21), Leah Burke (32), Paige Travis (44), Emily Rudge (69)

Conversions: Beth Stott (4 from 5)

Penalties: Beth Stott (1 from 1)

HT: 10-16

FT: 22-30