Women

BWSL: Round 12 Round Up

11 hrs

Round 12 of the Betfred Women’s Super League concluded this weekend leaving the competition tree tight at the top as the fight for the League Leaders’ Shield intensifies.

League leaders St Helens took a step closer to home advantage in the Play-Offs with another win against York Valkyrie, live on The Sportsman.

Despite initial strength from the Valkyrie, who went into the second half with a 0-2 lead and scored first after the break, the Saints regained their efforts to maintain their unbeaten record.

Errors from York were exploited and Emily Rudge powered through to get Saints on the board, with a conversion from Faye Gaskin taking the score to 6-8. Two tries from Phoebe Hook in the final 10 minutes put St Helens firmly in control with Gaskin sealing the victory in a last-minute penalty as York’s Sinead Peach saw a red card for dissent.

Elsewhere, Wigan Warriors met Barrow Raiders at the Northern Competitions Stadium where they kept the pressure on St Helens to remain just one point behind them in the table.

The Warriors’ unbeaten run came to an end last week with a defeat to York. But a 0-92 win against Barrow saw them pick up where they left off, running in 17 tries with no response from their opponents. Isabel Rowe scored a hat-trick and kicked 12 goals, whilst the Hunter sisters Ruby and Eva, as well as Mia-Jayne Atherton and Jenna Foubister, each scored two tries.

This sets Saints and Wigan's clash this Friday up nicely - will it be the Shield decider?

Leigh Leopards were off to a flying start in their match against Huddersfield Giants this weekend as Molly Young and Lucy Johnson scored to give them a 10-0 lead.

But the Giants hit back as Fran Copley took four points before half time, and academy player Madison Clegg added to the score as she made her first team debut. A conversion from Sam Hulme levelled the score, before Amelia Brown raced through to give Huddersfield their first lead of the match.

Leigh were not deterred and powered on, but only managed to tie the game at 20-20, unable to take advantage of a yellow card for the Giants' Eva Izumi.

Leeds Rhinos secured their spot in the Play-Offs after being awarded a 0-48 win over Warrington Wolves as the Wolves forfeited Sunday’s fixture.

What will happen as we head into the final two rounds?