Thatto Heath Ladies
The final game of the Women’s Grand Finals was for the Championship title, Thatto Heath took on Featherstone Rovers running out 18-12 Featherstone Rovers winners in a gripping end to the Women’s rugby league season.
The match started brightly, inside the opening minute Thatto’s Jenny Welsby made the first break before Jodie Cunningham (player of the match) cut back inside and dotted down under the sticks, a superb start for Thatto with Tara Stanley adding the goal 6-0.
On the twenty minute mark Cunningham was over again to further extend Thatto’s lead, a strong run from Lizzie Gladman took Thatto close before Cunningham raced over out wide 10-0.
Featherstone were next on the attack, Thatto fumbled a catch and as a result Featherstone went close to scoring out wide but couldn’t quite keep hold of the ball metres from the line.
Featherstone’s pressure eventually told, Kayleigh Bulman collected a pin point pass from Katie Daniels and scored in the corner 10-4.
Before the half was over Thatto extended their lead when they opted to go for the points from a penalty infront of the sticks, Tara Stanley was on target 12-4.
Half time Thatto Heath 12 Featherstone Rovers 4.
Featherstone came out firing in the second half, Katie Cooper-Birkenhead floated a superbly weighted pass out to Grace Field on the wing, and she was on the scoreboard 12-8.
Featherstone continued to dominate possession but it was Thatto who had the next try scoring chance, from a break away run Sammi Simpson raced upfield but was hauled down inches from the line by Kayleigh Bulman.
However some five minutes later Simpson had her try, first to the kick chase she caught the defence flat footed and sprinted over to score a great try. Tara Stanley added the extras 18-8.
Featherstone were not about to give up, Emily Rudge came into the attacking line at pace and scored a well taken try 18-12.
That would prove to be the final score of the afternoon a fitting Championship final with two teams who gave their all, Thatto Heath deservedly taking the title – Thatto Heath 18 Featherstone 12
Report by Rebecca Bird/Women’s Rugby League
Teams:
Thatto Heath
- Jodie Cunningham
- Sammi Simpson
- Rachel Thompson
- Tara Stanley
- Jenny Moss
- Jenny Welsby
- Faye Gaskin
- Jenny Pendelbury
- Tara Jones
- Chloe Hammond
- Chloe Richardson
- Chantelle Crowl
- Lizzie Gladman
Substitutions
- Carys Marsh
- Naomi Williams
- Alex Simpson
- Wendy Johnson
- Emma Dobson
Tries:
Jodie Cunningham 2
Sammi Simpson
Conversions
Tara Stanley 2
Penalties
Tara Stanley
Drop Goal
Featherstone Rovers
- Nat Gilmour
- Kayleigh Bulman
- Amy Smith
- Hannah Bairstow
- Gemma French
- Gemma Walsh
- Katie Cooper-Birkenhead
- Sarah Roper
- Sinead Peach
- Emma Slowe
- Grace Field
- Emily Rudge
- Andrea Dobson
Substitutions
- Katie Daniels
- Jasmine Rowley
- Steph Grenham
- Sarah Cooper-Birkenhead
- Mags Lowish
Tries
Kayleigh Bulman
Grace Field
Emily Rudge
Conversions
Penalties
Half time score
Thatto Heath 12 Featherstone 4
Final score
Thatto Heath 18 Featherstone 12
Player of the match
Jodie Cunningham (Thatto Heath)
