Photo: Ainsley Bennett

With the rain causing handling errors from both teams it was Bradford who mastered the conditions the best to score 7 tries to Featherstone’s 1 as they powered their way to the title, finishing the season with a 100% record.

Bradford’s tries were scored by: Kirsty Moroney, Lois Forsell, Charlotte Booth, Claire Garner (who also kicked 4 goals), Amy Hardcastle, Charlene Henegan and Haylie Hields.

On the score-sheet for Featherstone was Georgia Roche who converted her own score.

Player of the Final was Bradford’s Lois Forsell.

Bradford Bulls Team: Charlotte Booth, Charlene Henegan, Savannah Andzade, Amy Hardcastle, Lisa Taylor, Claire Garner, Kirsty Moroney, Lauren Hickey, Lois Forsell, Stacey Wilson, Shona Hoyle, Aimee Staveley, Beth Sutcliffe,

Substitutes: Dani swaine, Debbie Smith, Stacey White, Haylie Hields, Jess Courtman, Jo Ollerenshaw, Emma Hartley

Coach: Mark Prescott

Featherstone Rovers: Kayleigh Bulman, Sarah Dunn, Rhianon Marshall, Kacy Haley, Manina Spurr, Andrea Dobson, Georgia Roche, Emma Slone, Sinead Poach, Zoe Teece, Jas Hazell, Jas Bell, Gracie Field

Substitutes: Erica Zane, Megan Price, Madison Laverick

Coach:

Meanwhile in the Championship Grand Final it was Stanningley who took the honours despite Oulton Raidettes going ahead after just four minutes through Reagan Walker.

Photo: Ainsley Bennett

Stanningley hit back and took the lead with Tasha Gaines converting Sophie Robinson’s try and not to be outdone just three minutes later Reagan Walker again crossed the whitewash and this time converted her own score and making it 11-6 to Oulton.

That was the last time that Oulton was in the lead as Sophie Robinson and Shannon both scored tries before half time putting Stanningley out in front with a half time score of 11-16.

In the second half Stanningley extended their lead through Sarah Gaines, Emily Johnstone and Chloe Morley with one more goal kick from Tasha Gaines, putting the game out of the Raidettes reach and giving Stanningley a convincing win, in the end, at 32-11.

Player of the match was Stanningley’s Tasha Gaines.

Oulton Raidettes: Natalie Binks, Kirsty Nash, Chloe Kerrigan, Laura Teasdale, Sam Longley, Amie Backhouse, Megan Beach, Emily Longbottom, Frankie Townend, Reagan Walker, Dan Anderson, Kel Morgan, Vanessa Harriman

Substitutes: Ellen Strafford, Kelly Aitken, Roisen Feeley, KJ Wilkinson, Gabby Harrison, Chloe Barton, Zoe Longley

Coach: M Bullough

Stanningley: Chrissi Nettleton, Allana Waller, Sophie Robinson Heather MacDonald, Emily Johnstone, Tasha Gaines, Chloe Morley, Rachael Barker, Sarah Gaines, Amy Johnson, Jodie Davies, Tegan Halpin, Shannon Lacey,

Substitutes: Lauren Waller, Amy Boardman, Hallie Whittaker, Jo Harrison, Kelly Wood, Gemma Pankhurst, Billie Taylor

Coach: Darren Woods

Apologies if we have made a mistake with anyone’s name.

Leanne 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.

After 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.

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.

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 

Oulton Raidettes (Photo: Women’s Rugby League)

The game will be preceded by the Group 2 Grand Final, which will kick off at 1:00pm, before eyes turn to the main event, the Group 1 Grand Final, to decide the national Women’s Rugby League champions, kick off 3:00pm.

The 13,350-capacity stadium, home to First Utility Super League side Widnes Vikings, has been the venue for three of the last four Women’s RL Grand Finals.

Competition Manager James Shuttleworth said: “Going back to Widnes allows us to take Women’s Rugby League to another established audience.

Thatto Heath (Photo: Thatto Heath)

“This year, the Women’s Challenge Cup & Shield Finals Day was brilliantly hosted by Bradford Bulls, the County Cup Finals were in Leigh and York respectively and we’re returning to Yorkshire for County Origin at Stanningley in Leeds.

“We’re taking our key events to areas where the women’s game is strongest and we hope plenty of fans join us. It’s a fantastic and well-established annual event that always produces high drama.”

Leigh Miners Rangers (Photo: Women’s Rugby League)

Thatto Heath are the 2016 Women’s Challenge Cup winners and will be hoping to complete the double while Bradford Bulls will be determined to have their say.

That stage is set for a feast of women’s rugby league:

1.00pm – Leigh Miners Rangers v Oulton Raidettes

3.00pm – Bradford Bulls Women v Thatto Heath Crusaders

Report courtesy of Women’s Rugby League

Huddersfield St Josephs (Photo: Ainsley Bennett)

Huddersfield St Josephs played Thornhill Trojans Ladies in the WRLA Xamax Plate Final and closely contested match with Huddersfield winning by just two points at 20-18

This was followed by the Challenge Cup Final which was contested by York Ladies and Oulton Raidettes, this match was even closer with the Raidettes taking the Cup with a one point victory over York at 21-20.

Huddersfield St Josephs 20 Thornhill Trojans Ladies 18

York Ladies 20 Oulton Raidettes 21

This year’s competition will begin at 12.00 noon with Huddersfield St Josephs taking to the field against Thornhill Trojans Ladies in the WRLA Xamax Plate Final.

At 2.00pm Oulton Raidettes will play York Ladies in the Challenge Cup match which is a replay of last year’s finals.  York Ladies will be hoping to exact a little revenge and this year come away with the cup.

We wish all four teams the very best of luck on the day.

Tickets are just £5 with concessions at £3 – it is sure to be a good day of rugby!

Photo above shows Oulton Raidettes playing Thornhill Trojans Ladies

Oulton v Thornhill (Photo: WRLA)

The finals are this year sponsored by Xamax as part of the company’s twelve month sponsorship agreement, made at the beginning of the year, in a four figure deal with them providing pre and post game liveried leisure wear to Lancashire and Yorkshire Ladies for their County of Origin game last month.

The WRLA Xamax Plate Final will be contested at High Noon by Huddersfield St Josephs Ladies and Thornhill Trojans Ladies with both clubs competing in their first ever final.

The second game of this double header day will be the WRLA Xamax Challenge Cup Final at 2.00pm, which is a repeat of last year’s final when Oulton Raidettes won their first ever piece of silverware defeating York Ladies 20-6 (albeit the final score didn’t reflect the game).

Admission has been kept to last year’s prices which will £5 adults, £3 concessions.

WRLA Chair Steve Manning said: “Once again this year we are holding our Cup and Plate Finals at the Big Fellas Stadium the home of Featherstone Rovers RLFC on our traditional day Easter Sunday which is early this year on the 27th March.

“It is one of the best professional grounds outside of Super League with the ground work on the stadium now completed, as the club strives to get to the next level. We want our ladies playing on the biggest stages and best playing surfaces, to show off their abundant skills, and this ground ticks all the boxes.

“We were blessed with great weather last year which saw a great attendance and I hope that we can beat that total and that everyone involved playing the ladies game, whether in winter or summer, buys into our finals days which have been played for more than two decades.

“It’s great value and for the mildly curious or first timer you are certainly in for a treat in this double header event. We are hoping to make further announcements in the build up to these games so watch this space.”

Report courtesy of the WRLA

Pictured above Oulton Raidettes

Leigh Miners then enjoyed a strong spell, making good inroads but the Normanton defence was proving difficult to breach.  Robyn Birchall went close to scoring but a last ditch tackle meant she was just short of the line and Normanton were able to relieve the pressure.

Wigan continued to dominate possession and on the 30 minute mark they had a penalty in front of the posts and opted to take the points, Sarah Harrison (player of the match) was on target 2-6.

Normanton were able to extend their lead before the break, Katie Hepworth ran a superb line and coasted around the defence to score, the conversion fell just short 2-10.

Half time Wigan 2 Normanton 10.

Normanton came out on the attack; a scything break from Beth Weir resulted in a penalty, Normanton chose to kick at goal but the attempt was wide.

Wigan scored their first try of the match soon afterwards, a half break from Sarah Harrison created space for Charlotte Foley to cut back inside and score under the posts 8-10.

With 15 minutes to go Wigan took the lead for the first time in the match, from a penalty Katie Dean powered through the defensive line and crossed the whitewash, Sarah Harrison added the goal 14-10.

The game was proving to be a real nail biter, there was still time for Normanton to come back, the ball was moved quickly down the line and Normanton’s Chloe Brown exploited the overlap to level the scores at 14-14.

The score remained at 14-14 to the full time whistle and so the match was now going to be won by the golden point. The first chance to win the match went to Wigan when they set up for a drop goal but the ball fell just short.

But just a few seconds later Wigan had the win, Charlotte Foley landed a drop goal in front of the sticks to seal the win for her side 15-14 in a truly thrilling final. Wigan St Patricks 15 Normanton Knights 14.

Report by Rebecca Bird/Women’s Rugby League

Teams:

Wigan St Patricks

1. Armani Sharrock
2. Chloe Myers
3. Robyn Birchall
4. Holly Roper
5. Beckie Blackburn
6. Sarah Harrison
7. Joenie Aspin
8. Jo Trumble
9. Emma Dwyer
10. Milaina Bretherton
11. Claire Mulleney
12. Gemma Hennesey
13. Charlotte Foley

Substitutions

14. Michelle Woodcock
15. Katie Dean
16. Simone Ashurst
17. Gillian Aspin
18. Beth Batchelore
19. Nicole Marsh

Tries

Charlotte Foley

Katie Dean

Conversions

Sarah Harrison 2

Penalties

Sarah Harrison

Drop Goal

Charlotte Foley

Normanton Knights

1. Katie Hepworth
2. Dani Rose
3. Elland Lamb
4. Danielle Monks
5. Leah Cottler
6. Lucy Eastwood
7. Marie Colley
8. Beth Weir
9. Sam Jordan
10. Claire Barnes
11. Kirsty Nicholson
12. Sammy Watts
13. Chloe Brown

Substitutions

14.Maisie Birdsall

15. Leanne Allen

16.Donna Horan

Tries

Dani Rose

Katie Hepworth

Chloe Brown

Conversions

Katie Hepworth

Penalties

Half time score

Wigan 2 Normanton 10

Final score

Wigan St Patricks 15 Normanton Knights 14

Player of the match

Sarah Harrison (Wigan St Patricks)

The first telling break of the match came from Leigh’s Georgia Sutherland when she burst through the midfield but the Brighouse defence scrambled to stop the attack.

Brighouse were the next to attack when Jasmine Cudjoe made a telling break, this gave Brighouse great field position and they moved the ball wide for Gemma Beckett to swivel out of the tackle and score in the corner 0-4.

Leigh Miners were quick to hit back, Georgia Sutherland (player of the match) coasted through a gap down the wing and raced away to score a superb try 4-4.

The next try saw some real end to end rugby, Brighouse came within inches of scoring but the Leigh Miners defence held them out. Miners regained possession and following a few phases Keli Morris found a gap in midfield and sprinted away from the half way line to score, Emily Mullen was on target with the goal 10-4.

Half time score Leigh Miners 10 Brighouse Rangers 4.

Brighouse Rangers came out firing in the second half, a period of sustained pressure eventually told before Beth Holt took advantage of an overlap to score in the corner 10-8.

Leigh Miners were next able to further extend their lead, when Georgia Sutherland spotted some space out wide and sprinted away to score her second of the afternoon, the conversion fell just short 14-8.

Brighouse looked to hit back and made good inroads but Leigh Miners pounced on a loose pass and Celia Farrimond sprinted 70 metres to the try line to score, Emily Mullen landed her second conversion 20-8.

Leigh Miners did not let up, almost immediately from the restart Georgia Sutherland received the ball in space, side stepped the last defender and sprinted under the sticks for her hat-rick 26-8.

With just minutes to go Leigh Miners further extended their lead, Brighouse were unable to field a kick and Leigh reacted quickest with Celia Farrimond racing over for her second of the afternoon 30-8.

Final score Leigh Miners 30 Brighouse Rangers 8.

Report by Rebecca Bird/Women’s Rugby League

Leigh Miners

1. Rhianne Boag
2. Samantha Jolley
3. Sarina Tomoa
4. Georgia Sutherland
5. Genna Banks
6. Emily Mullen
7. Clare Thompson
8. Louise Hancock
9. Rachel Ogden
10. Megan Eastwood
11. Laura Bent
12. Mairead Quinn
13. Keli Morris

Substitutions

15. Naimh Gill-Ward
16. Mina Patel
17. Helen Murtagh
18. Emma Benton
19. Chloe Jolley
20. Celia Farrimond

Tries

Georgia Sutherland 3

Keli Morris

Celia Farrimond 2

Conversions

Emily Mullen 3

Penalties

Brighouse Rangers

1. Beth Greenwood
2. Hannah Calloghan
3. Beth Holt
4. Laura Brook
5. Gemma Beckett
6. Rose Nash
7. Jasmine Cudjoe
8. Kara Collin
9. Laura Norcliffe
10. Kayleigh Hayes
11. Amy Gilbert
12. Cat Bell
13. Emma Procter

Substitutions

14. Shannon Robinson
15. Emily Brook
16. Vicky Brook
17. Amanda Wigglesworth
18. Shell Thomas
19. Tyler Cookland
20. Liz Cubberly

Tries

Gemma Beckett

Beth Holt

Conversions

Penalties

Half time score

Leigh Miners 10 Brighouse Rangers 4

Final score

Leigh Miners 30 Brighouse Rangers 8

Player of the match

Georgia Sutherland (Leigh Miners)

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

1. Jodie Cunningham
2. Sammi Simpson
3. Rachel Thompson
4. Tara Stanley
5. Jenny Moss
6. Jenny Welsby
7. Faye Gaskin
8. Jenny Pendelbury
9. Tara Jones
10. Chloe Hammond
11. Chloe Richardson
12. Chantelle Crowl
13. Lizzie Gladman

Substitutions

14. Carys Marsh
15. Naomi Williams
16. Alex Simpson
17. Wendy Johnson
18. Emma Dobson

Tries:

Jodie Cunningham 2

Sammi Simpson

Conversions

Tara Stanley 2

Penalties

Tara Stanley

Drop Goal

Featherstone Rovers

1. Nat Gilmour
2. Kayleigh Bulman
3. Amy Smith
4. Hannah Bairstow
5. Gemma French
6. Gemma Walsh
7. Katie Cooper-Birkenhead
8. Sarah Roper
9. Sinead Peach
10. Emma Slowe
11. Grace Field
12. Emily Rudge
13. Andrea Dobson

Substitutions

14. Katie Daniels
15. Jasmine Rowley
16. Steph Grenham
17. Sarah Cooper-Birkenhead
18. 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)

Following a competitive series of Play Offs the 6 remaining teams will take to the field:

Schedule of games:

11.30am – Leigh Miners Rangers v Brighouse

2.00pm – Wigan St Patrick’s v Normanton

4.00pm – Thatto Heath St Helens v Featherstone Rovers

Gates will open at 10:30 with access to all three games available all day, on-site parking will be available for a small charge with stadium bars also open for all three games.

Admission £4 and £2 concessions

The address of Provident Stadium is:

Provident Stadium
Odsal
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD6 1BS

The above photo shows the Brighouse Ladies team who face Leigh Miners Rangers at 11.30am

You can find out more about women’s rugby league here.