SAINTS WOMEN BOOK HOME CHALLENGE CUP QUARTER-FINAL

St.Helens Women have booked their spot in the last eight of this year’s Challenge Cup, after beating Warrington 6-58!

Saints took the lead three minutes in. Faye Gaskin broke down the middle of the field, and found Beri Salihi who raced 40 metres to score under the sticks for her first try in Saints colours. Amy Taylor converted, 0-6.

Eleven minutes later, Saints grabbed their second try. Tara Jones picked the ball up from dummy half and broke through a gap, before finding the supporting Darcy Stott in support to race away and score underneath the sticks. Taylor added another two points, 0-12.

Warrington responded. The hosts created an overlap down their right edge and that allowed Stevie Donougher to power her way over in the corner. Charlize Magraw added the extras, 6-12.

Saints instantly replied. Warrington fumbled the kick off, on the last tackle Saints shifted it right, Warrington went for an intercept but it went to ground and Phoebe Hook picked the loose ball up and dove over in the corner. Taylor was unable to convert, 6-16.

Salihi then had her second try in the 32nd minute. Saints were awarded a penalty, moved the ball right and Salihi spotted a gap and made the most of it to score in the corner. Taylor missed the kick, 6-20.

Hook then grabbed her second five minutes before the break. Saints worked it well through the hands down their right edge and Stott found Hook to crash over in the corner. Taylor converted, 6-26.

Saints’ sixth and final try of the half came on the hooter. The visitors moved it left, Taylor finding the returning Rachael Woosey who broke a tackle before diving over the line from close range. Taylor added the extras, 6-32 the reigning champions led at the break.

It took eight minutes for the first points of the second half. Saints camped on the Warrington line, shifted it right and Gaskin found Salihi who made the most of the overlap to go over in the corner for her hat-trick. Taylor missed the kick, 6-36.

With twelve minutes to go, Saints grabbed their eighth try. Jones spotted a gap from dummy half close to the Wire line and burrowed her way over. Taylor converted, 6-42.

Two minutes later, Saints had another. Woosey broke through a gap from inside her own half and raced away for her second try of the game from distance. Taylor converted, 6-48.

With two minutes to go, Saints grabbed their tenth try of the day. Saints again shifted it right, Erin Stott stepped inside and burrowed her way over from close range. Taylor missed the kick, 6-52.

Saints sealed the win on the hooter. Chantelle Crowl made a break down the middle and found Gaskin in support who strolled over next to the sticks. Taylor converted, as Saints topped their Challenge Cup group to book a home Quarter-Final against Huddersfield next weekend!

Match Summary

Warrington Wolves Team: Rebecca Nixon, Abigail Johnston, Nicole Barnett, Stevie Donougher, Albany Coates, Katie-May Williams, Charlize Magraw, Megan Condliffe, Danielle Bound, Grace Burnett, Emily Downs, Samantha Simpson, Abigail Latchford.

Interchanges: Christina Millan, Helena Turner, Emily Tandy, Olivia Webb.

18th Player: Olivia Hill.

Tries: Stevie Donougher (21)

Conversions: Charlize Magraw (1 from 1)

Saints Team: Beri Salihi, Leah Burke, Rachael Woosey, Erin Stott, Phoebe Hook, Amy Taylor, Faye Gaskin, Channtelle Crowl, Tara Jones, Darcy Stott, Alyx Bridge Emily Rudge, Jodie Cunningham

Interchanges: Rebecca Rotheram, Naomi Williams, Pip Birchall, Katie Mottershead

18th Player: Zoe Harris

Tries: Beri Salihi (3, 32, 48), Darcy Stott (14), Phoebe Hook (23, 35), Rachael Woosey (40, 70), Tara Jones (68), Erin Stott (78), Faye Gaskin (80)

Conversions: Amy Taylor (7 from 11)

HT: 6-32

FT: 6-58