Source: Leigh Miners Rangers

Leigh Miners and Thatto Heath take the honours at Grand Finals Day

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First up on Saturday at the Select Security Stadium, Widnes, for the Women’s Rugby League Grand Finals were Leigh Miners Rangers v Oulton Raidettes.

score-boardLeanne Johnson got the scoring under way, putting Leigh Miners Rangers in the lead, as slick passing enabled her to cross the line touch down and get the first points of the match not converted – 4-0.

Next on the board was Nichole Postlethwaite – try converted by Emily Mullen widening the gap and taking the Rangers to 10-0.

The Raidettes then had a chance to cross the whitewash themselves only for a knock-on to prevent the try, but they weren’t to be denied as minutes later Victoria Pinks squeezed through the smallest of gaps to put her side back in it and take the score to 10-4.

cup-and-plateAfter the break Reagan Walker closed the gap further as the deficit was reduced to just two points at 10-8.

There was no panic from the Rangers as they once again increased their lead through Mairead Quinn 16-8.  This was followed by a fabulous break away try from Georgia Sutherland, with just ten minutes left on the clock and taking the Rangers 12 points clear at 20-8.

The Raidettes had the last say in the match, through Danielle Anderson and although it wasn’t enough showed the battling spirit of both teams as they fought to the last minute and a final score of Leigh Miners Rangers 20-12 Oulton Raidettes making the Rangers League 1 Champions.

In the second match Bradford Bulls, were celebrating a very successful first season in the league in making it to the finals and a match against reigning champions Thatto Heath Crusaders.

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Thatto Heath

Thatto quickly showed why they are Champions as a slick move led to Tara Stanley opening scoring and converting her own try – 5-0.

This score was swiftly followed by Jodie Cunningham cutting her way through the Bulls – try converted by Tara Stanley – 10-0.

Bulls responded through Lauren Hickey to reduce the deficit to 10-4 but Roxy Mura put in a huge effort to score, once again converted by Tara Stanley – 16-4.

And Stanley’s kicks were flying over as she  converted another try this time from the touch line – score by Emily Rudge – 22-4.

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Bradford Bulls

Then Amy Hardcastle got some more points for the Bulls taking them to 22-8 and giving them a glimmer of hope.

But Thatto weren’t finished and they stepped up a gear with scores from Faye Gaskin (also converted by Tara Stanley) 28-8; Chantelle Crowl crossed out wide – 32-8 and finally Faye Gaskin scored her second (after another Roxy Mura break) taking the final score to: Thatto Heath Crusaders 36-8 Bradford Bulls