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2021 RLCCF
2021 SLGF
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MATCH REPORT |
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MATCH REPORT : St.Helens made a strong start, pinning the visitors inside their own 40 metres during the opening defensive set. A knock-on briefly handed Catalans Dragons extra possession, but a strong kick soon forced a seven-tackle set in the Saints’ favour. Building pressure straight away, the hosts drove Catalans back towards their own 10-metre line and forced another error. Emily Rudge reacted quickest to the loose ball to open the scoring inside five minutes, with Faye Gaskin adding the conversion, 6-0. Saints continued to control the tempo, and a penalty for a high tackle in their own half provided another opportunity to attack. The left edge combined effectively, with Rudge offloading to Rachael Woosey, who, just like she did so many times last year, released Dani McGifford to finish in the corner. Gaskin’s touchline conversion attempt struck the posts, leaving the score at 10-0 after ten minutes. The right edge then came into the game as Amy Hardcastle produced a powerful break from 40 metres out. The centre surged through the line, rounded the fullback and held off the covering defence to score on her return. Gaskin converted to extend the Saints’ lead to 16-0. McGifford added her second try soon after, as Saints’ forwards began to dominate the middle and control the ruck. Woosey delivered the final pass around 20 metres out, and despite limited space, McGifford backed herself to squeeze into the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful. Midway through the half, Vicky Whitfield and Katie Mottershead stepped into the fray. Following a Saints error, Catalans threatened in our red zone, but Rebecca Rotheram showed good awareness to allow a kick to roll dead. From the resulting 20-metre restart, Leah Burke received the ball and sprinted the length of the field, fending off the fullback to finish an impressive solo try. Gaskin converted to push the lead out to 26-0. Whitfield made an immediate impact in defence and soon added her name to the scoresheet, running a strong line close to the whitewash to finish from a well-timed pass by captain Jodie Cunningham. Gaskin added her fourth and last conversion of the half to make it 32-0. McGifford completed her first-half hat-trick in spectacular fashion, chasing a kick into the left corner. The ball held up and bounced in-goal, allowing the winger to react sharply and ground it under pressure. That score capped a dominant opening 40 minutes, with St.Helens taking a 36-0 lead into the break. St.Helens remained firmly in control after the break, immediately forcing Catalans back into their own red zone with their first attacking set of the half. Showing patience and composure, the ball was moved left to Amy Hardcastle, who burst through a half-gap and powered past the covering defender to claim her second try. Faye Gaskin then produced one of her best kicks of the afternoon, converting from wide out into the wind to extend the lead to 42-0 inside the opening four minutes. Saints quickly added another. Katie Mottershead, growing in influence with sharp runs from dummy half, capitalised on a scrappy ruck near the right-hand side of the try line. Spotting an opportunity, she worked her way over for an unconverted try, making it 46-0. Opportunities were limited for Lindsay Anfield’s side, but when they did manage to build pressure, Saints’ defence held firm. A penalty ten minutes into the half gave Catalans good field position, just 20 metres out, but strong work from the left edge forced them into touch early in the set, relieving the pressure. Alyx Bridge was next to add her name to the scoresheet. A short pass close to the line allowed her to drive forward, and despite heavy contact, she showed good control to reach out and ground the ball. Gaskin converted to bring up the half-century at 52-0, with 25 minutes still remaining. Catalans then enjoyed a sustained spell of pressure, aided by a couple of Saints penalties for offside and slowing the ruck. After being repelled on several occasions, they eventually found a way through, moving the ball left before a grubber kick into the corner was gathered for a try. The conversion was missed, reducing the deficit to 52-4 just after the hour mark. Saints responded immediately. From the restart, Gaskin varied her approach with a clever short kick that caught the visitors off guard. Catalans failed to deal with it cleanly, handing possession straight back. Saints capitalised quickly, shifting the ball right for Leah Burke to dive over in the corner for her second try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 56-4. The closing stages saw a more even, hard-fought period as both sides rotated their benches. Catalans continued to press but were repeatedly denied by a disciplined Saints defence. In the final moments, Burke produced a standout finish, taking an early carry and breaking through a gap before sprinting the length of the field to complete her hat-trick. Gaskin added the final conversion from in front of the posts to seal a 62-4 victory. St.Helens Women ran in twelve tries in a dominant performance against Catalans Dragons in their first meeting, securing top spot in Group A of the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup group stage. Match Summary Saints team: Rebecca Rotheram, Leah Burke, Amy Hardcastle, Rachael Woosey, Dani McGifford, Zoe Harris, Faye Gaskin, Shona Hoyle-Holdsworth, Caitlin Casey, Erin McDonald, Paige Travis, Emily Rudge and Jodie Cunningham. Interchanges: Vicky Whitfield, Katie Mottershead, Alyx Bridge, Hollie Bawden. 18th player: Jadine McVernon Tries: Emily Rudge (5), Dani McGifford (9, 17, 37), Amy Hardcastle (14, 44), Leah Burke (28, 66, 79), Vicky Whitfield (33), Katie Mottershead (47), Alyx Bridge (54). Conversions: Faye Gaskin 7/12 Dragons team: Chloe Abellanet, Kaina Absi, Elisa Akpa, Louane Beaucour-Henrion, Margot Canal, Anais Gau, Lison Gaurat, Talia Dunemann, Mazarine Jammet, Sarah Menaa and Pauline Noe. Interchanges: Ines Puguillem, Fanny Ramos, Mariloi Raynaud, Cristina Song-Puche. |
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