Over 11,200 fans packed into the Totally Wicked Stadium throughout the afternoon and a good sized crowd had stayed behind after the excellent performance by the men’s first team to watch our Women.
And Saints superior speed and class was evident from the off as Jodie Cunningham again underlined her stature scoring the first of her hat-trick after only 80 seconds.
Rovers knocked on from the kick off and three tackles later found themselves standing watching as Cunningham dummied to her winger as she strolled over on the right.
A simple trademark jump out of dummy half saw Tara Jones in at the side of the posts for the second try.
Great interpassing down the right saw Naomi Williams in for her first as she started and finished a 70 metre move down the right taking the final pass from Cunningham to go over.
Saints continued their point a minute scoring with Cunningham’s second after a fine 90 metre burst from Williams who was caught inches short.
To their credit, Rovers responded and were back in it after two quick tries from Zoe Teece and Grace Hepton.
Thankfully from the kick off for the second the visitors knocked on and three tackles later Cunningham completed her first half hat-trick.
Rovers managed to hold the Saints out for the opening 10 minutes of the second period, but after Emily Rudge scored her first, taking the inside pass from another Cunningham break, the writing was on the wall.
Another jump out of dummy half by Jones saw her go 20 metres before passing inside for Zoe Harris to do the final 30.
A penalty and two fine Lizzie Gladman drives saw her stopped just short, but from the play the ball Gaskin and Cunningham put Rudge away for her brace.
The watching Saints fans were then treated to two great Saints tries finished off by left wing Leah Burke.
The first came after another trademark Vicky Whitfield drive dragging one defender fully 20 metres with her. The ball was spread left for Beth Stott to show that she is finding her League feet as she dummied her way to the full back before setting Burke away out pacing the cover and strolling behind the posts.
Five minutes later and Stott was at it again down the left this time finding Williams inside who set Burke free to go the final 40 metres to cap a fine 70 metre move.
Rovers got a consolation score through Katherine Hepworth, but Williams rounded off Saints win with an eleventh and final try in the corner after Burke and Sarah Lovejoy drives.
St Helens Women’s:
Team: Jodie Cunningham; Rebecca Avenell, Naomi Williams, Beth Stott, Leah Burke; Zoe Harris, Faye Gaskin, Vicky Whitfield, Tara Jones, Dawn Akrigg, Pip Birchall, Katie-May Williams, Emily Rudge.
Interchanges: Rhianna Burke, Lizzie Gladman, Sarah Lovejoy, Claire Mullaney.
Tries: Jodie Cunningham (1, 23 & 36), Tara Jones (9) Naomi Williams (15 & 75), Emily Rudge (48 & 58), Zoe Harris (55), Leah Burke (61 & 65).
Goals: Faye Gaskin 5 from 11 .
Featherstone Rovers Women’s
Team: Grace Hepton; Kayleigh Bulman, Tilly Churm, Shannelle Mannion, Chloe Reynolds; Katherine Hepworth, Chelsea Senior; Brogan Churm, Kelly Smith, Zoe Teece, Jessica Hammond, Natalie Harrowell, Andrea Dobson.
Interchanges: Charley Blackburn, Stephanie Grenham, Paige Stevens, Grace Dyke.
Tries: Zoe Teece (26), Grace Hepton (33), Katherine Hepworth (72).
Goals: Katherine Hepworth 2 from 3.
HT: 24-10
FT: 54-16
