BWSL: Round 2 Round Up

Round 2 of the Betfred Women's Super League kicked off on Saturday with Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, York Valkyrie and St Helens all victorious this weekend…

Leeds continued their winning start to the season, scoring thirteen tries in their 68-0 shutout win over Warrington Wolves to set the early-season pace at the top of the Super League table. 

Rhinos prop Izzy Northrop completed her first senior hat-trick, and also teed up Caitlin Beevers for the game's opening try in the first minute of the game. Amy Hardcastle, Lucy Murray and Evie Cousins added to Northrop's first-half brace as the hosts went in 36-0 up at the break. 

Jenna Greening, Shona Hoyle, Ruby Enright, Tara Moxon and Hardcastle also crossed, with Enright landing eight goals.

Four tries from Emma Kershaw inspired York Valkyrie to a hard-fought 28-8 victory over Barrow Raiders at the Northern Competitions Stadium. Kershaw put York inside the first dozen minutes before the Valkyrie scored four tries in ten minutes before half-time to put the game beyond Barrow's reach. 

Savannah Andrade then went over for the visitors before Kershaw completed her quadruple as a 28-0 half-time lead was established. The Valkyrie were unable to add to their first-half tally, with Barrow's Emma Hutchinson's two tries the only points posted into the second 40 minutes. 

St Helens got their season up and running with an emphatic 60-6 win over Huddersfield Giants. The hosts were ahead inside four minutes through Darcy Stott and had the job done by half-time thanks to a try apiece for Phoebe Hook and Georgia Sutherland, and braces from Leah Burke and Luci McColm. 

Amelia Brown hit back for Giants soon after the restart, but Burke took her tally to four tries with two quick scores. Tara Jones, Katie Mottershead and Stott also went over as Saints added a further five tries in the second half to cement their first win of the campaign. 

Matty Smith's matchday squad included a 50th appearance in the Red V for Paige Travis and there was a debut for Erin McDonald off the bench.

Wigan Warriors continued their 100% record with a win against promoted Featherstone Rovers at Robin Park Arena. 

The visitors scored a try either side of half-time, but it was Wigan who controlled the game as they ran in nine tries, all converted by Emma Knowles. Isabel Rowe crossed twice, in addition to tries from Grace Banks, Mary Coleman, and Anna Davies as the Warriors raced into a 30-6 advantage, with Brogan Kennedy replying. 

Ellise Derbyshire extended the lead before Olivia Grace hit back for the visitors to make it 36-12. But Rowe completed her hat-trick and there were second tries for Davies and Coleman as Warriors pulled away to a 54-12 victory.

Round 2 of the @Betfred Women's #SuperLeague ? pic.twitter.com/2tPB6nBsCZ
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 28, 2024

 Round 3 of the Betfred Women's Super League will kick off on Saturday 11 May when Huddersfield Giants host Wigan Warriors at the John Smith's Stadium (KO 12pm).

The full list of Betfred Women's Super League fixtures can be found here.