Wigan Warriors Women defeat Featherstone

[josie andrews]

* Match Report as Wigan Warriors Women win against Featherstone Rovers Ladies.
* Wigan scored nine tries on the afternoon, all converted by Emma Knowles.
* FT | Wigan Warriors 54-12 Featherstone Rovers.

MATCH REPORT AS WIGAN WARRIORS WOMEN RUN OUT WINNERS AGAINST FEATHERSTONE ROVERS IN ROUND TWO OF BETFRED WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE.

The visitors Featherstone scored a try either side of half time but it was Wigan who controlled the game as they ran in nine tries, all converted by Emma Knowles to record a second victory in Betfred Women’s Super League.

Mary Coleman and Anna Davies both crossed for doubles, with Isabel Rowe recording a hat-trick with other scores coming from Grace Banks and Ellise Derbyshire.

Report

Wigan coughed up some early possession as Featherstone put them under some early pressure but Wigan stood firm in defence. The visitors were asking all the questions with repeat sets close to Wigan’s line in the opening 15 minutes but Denis Betts’ side continued their defensive efforts to keep it scoreless.

The Warriors opened the scoring on 16 minutes as Grace Banks produced a bit of individual brilliance to break through and race away to score under the uprights. Emma Knowles converted and it was 6-0 to the Warriors.

Just a few minutes later Mary Coleman broke down the left edge and despite the best efforts of Rovers the second rower batted away the defence to go in under the sticks. Knowles converted once more to make it 12-0.

Wigan added a third as Isabel Rowe broke inside her own half before racing 60m to finish off her individual effort under the uprights for another easy conversion for Knowles, making it 18-0 before the half hour.

A great team try followed as Wigan rolled down the field before a perfect kick over the top bounced into Wigan hands for Isabel Rowe to cross for her second of the afternoon. Emma Knowles converted a fourth try to make it 24-0 closing in on half time.

Anna Davies crossed for a fifth effort before the break though, as she broke the defensive line to get the legs going and score. Knowles converted once again to continue her perfect first half from the tee.

Featherstone crossed late in the half though as a set restart allowed Brogan Kennedy to reach out and score the Rovers first of the afternoon, Tally Bryer converted as the half time whistle was blown – the scores stood 30-6.

It looked like Anna Davies had put the ball down for Wigan’s first of the second half but Featherstone had backed up just in time to deny Davies a second. The Warriors did get their sixth shortly afterwards though as Anna Davies broke away to feed her winger Ellise Derbyshire who ran in under the sticks, Knowles converted once more and it was 36-6.

Olivia Grace added a second for Featherstone on 50 minutes as she powered over despite Wigan’s best efforts. Tally Bryer added the conversion from out wide and it was 36-12.

Anna Davies did cross for her second of the afternoon moments later. Kaitlin Hilton made the initial break to get Wigan close before using the left edge who had space to see Davies in at the corner. Knowles struck a fantastic touchline effort to make it 42-12.

Isabel Rowe completed her hat-trick after the hour mark as Wigan punished Featherstone who didn’t find touch after gaining a penalty. Knowles converted an eighth straight conversion to make it 48-12.

Rowe then turned provider as she got a ball away to Mary Coleman to burst onto the ball and go over for her second of the afternoon in the 75th minute. Knowles continued her perfect record from the tee. Nine converted scores from Wigan saw the Warriors two-from-two in Betfred Women’s Super League with the 54-12 victory.

Wigan Warriors: Grace Banks, Cailey Miller, Kaitlin Hilton, Anna Davies, Ellise Derbyshire, Isabel Rowe, Emma Knowles, Holly Speakman, Abbie Singleton, Alice Fisher, Rease Casey, Mary Coleman, Rachel Thompson.

Interchange: Cerys Jones, Jade Gregory-Haselden, Olivia Harborow, Bethany Hayes.

18th Player: Sinead Doria.

Tries: Banks (16′), Coleman (22′, 75′), Rowe (27′, 33′, 69′), Davies (37′, 55′), Derbyshire (47′)

Goals: Knowles 9/9

Featherstone Rovers: Danielle Waters, Elland Lamb, Chloe Billington, Ella Johnson, Brooke Price, Tally Bryer, Olivia Grace, Shanelle Mannion, Charley Blackburn, Gabby Harrison, Hannah Watt, Ellie Wainhouse, Brogan Churm.

Interchange: Alyssa Courtney, Brogan Kennedy, Katie Evans, Kirsty Duffield.

18th Player: Rachel Eastwood.

Tries: Kennedy (39′), Grace (50′)

Goals: Bryer 2/2

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/04/ ... therstone/

[moto748]

I just watched the highlights on Wigan TV. So impressed; there's some tremendous scores there. Some lovely skill at 7 and 12 too, and all over the team, really. Great work!