Pictures Eddie Whitham
LESS than a year after launching a women’s team Warrington Wolves are celebrating winning the League Leaders’ Shield and reaching the championship play-off final.
They defeated Huddersfield Giants 36-4 in the women’s Championship semi-final in front of a crowd of over 1,000 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium to book their place in the final to be held in Manchester next Saturday afternoon.
Following the victory they were presented with the League Leaders’ Shield.
The first half saw the Wire take control of the score board with the help of a hat-trick from captain Murdoch; the Giants with just the one try in response. The second half continued in the same vein with three unanswered tries in the opening 20 minutes of the half, which proved enough to book the Wire’s place in the Championship Grand Final.
After the game Head Coach Coach Lee Westwood said: “I’m really proud of the girls. With the conditions there was a lot of dropped ball but I’m so proud of every single one of them. All year they’ve worked together and improved every week, to then win the semi final by over 30 points at The Halliwell Jones Stadium is absolutely fantastic. I’m made up for them.
“At the beginning of the year we said let’s get in the top four and have a chance at getting up to Super League. To win the League Leaders and to go to the Grand Final is absolutely fantastic. If they keep working the way they are anything can happen on the day.
“They’re (Barrow) the only team to beat us this year so it’s going to be a tough battle. They’ve got a big forward pack that drives them forward. I’m expecting a tough, physical battle. Anything is possible.”
TEAMS
Warrington
Samantha Simpson, Sally Conyers, Beth Cox, Amy Daniels, Michelle Davis, Roxy Murdoch, Terri Allen, Gillian Capper, Megan Garvey, Keira McCosh, Rebekah Wilson, Tahleah Backo, Danielle Bound
Subs: Jen Pickersgill, Jade Crosby, Sarah Faulkner, Mollie Parker, Cat Davies, Charlotte Hill, Ellie Jelves
Tries: Murdoch (3), Bound (2), Jelves, Wilson
Goals: Davis (4)
Huddersfield
Abby Price, Emmi Manning, Erin Scott, Olivia Cummins, Courtney Wood, Bethan Oates, Jamie-Leigh Scott, Danni Allatt, Izzy Bibby, Vicky Brook, Bethannie Seisay-Reynolds, Chloe Bennett-Gallagher, Codie Slack
Subs: Caitlin Johnson, Hebe Forbes, Shelley Brook, Jenny Langdon, Caroline Johnson, Megan Price, Niamh McNally
Tries: Bibby
