Saints Women grabbed Derby Day bragging rights with a 24-8 victory over Wigan Warriors on Friday evening!

Wigan took the lead 15 minutes in. The visitors moved the ball and Mary Coleman broke a tackle before stretching out from close range to score. Emma Knowles converted, 0-6. That lead increased just after the half-hour mark. The visitors then were awarded a penalty for a high shot in front of the posts, Knowles again converting to make it 0-8.

Just before the break, Saints got back into it. Saints moved it left Emily Rudge found Luci McColm who juggled the ball before she was able to dive over in the corner to score against her former club. Faye Gaskin was unable to convert, 4-8 Saints trailed at the break.

Saints levelled the scores ten minutes into the second half. Saints moved it left and McColm was able to bury her way over in the corner for her second try of the game. Gaskin was unable to convert, 8-8 it was tied.

The hosts took the lead for the first time on the evening 65 minutes in. The Red V camped on the Wigan line and Vicky Whitfield was able to crash her way over from close range. Gaskin converted, 14-8.

With eight minutes to go, Saints had the chance to make it a two-score game. A penalty central in front of the sticks from 35 metres saw Gaskin kick for goal and she nailed it, 16-8.

There was still time for two more late tries. First, off the back of a break from Katie Mottershead, Saints went left and Beri Salihi made the most of the extra numbers to score in the corner. Gaskin missed the kick, 20-8.

A fifth try quickly followed. Paige Travis collected the resulting short kick off and broke downfield. Saints shifted it from right to left the following tackle and Salihi stepped inside off the touchline to grab her second try. Gaskin was unable to convert, but it didn’t matter, as Saints won 24-8 at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Match Summary

Saints Team: Beri Salihi, Phoebe Hook, Erin Stott, Luci McColm, Rebecca Rotheram, Zoe Harris, Faye Gaskin, Vicky Whitfield, Tara Jones, Chantelle Crowl, Paige Travis, Emily Rudge, Naomi Williams.

Interchanges: Pip Birchall, Katie Mottershead, Amy Taylor, Georgia Sutherland.

18th Player: Megan Williams.

Tries: Luci McColm (36, 50), Vicky Whitfield (65), Beri Salihi (77, 79)

Conversions: Faye Gaskin (1 from 4)

Penalties: Faye Gaskin (1 from 1)

Wigan Warriors Team: Georgia Wilson, Emma Welsford, Kaitlin Hilton, Anna Davies, Ellise Derbyshire, Isabel Rowe, Emma Knowles, Holly Speakman, Rease Casey, Alice Fisher, Victoria Molyneux, Mary Coleman, Rachel Thompson.

Interchanges: Abbie Singleton, Jade Gregory-Haselden, Cerys Jones, Bethany Hayes.

18th Player: Gracie Bradshaw.

Tries: Mary Coleman (15)

Conversions: Emma Knowles (1 from 1)

Penalties: Emma Knowles (1 from 1)

HT: 4-8

FT: 24-12