Super Four and Shield: Round 5 Story

It was another dramatic weekend in the Betfred Women’s Super League, with Leeds Rhinos securing their place in the Semi-Final on September 18 despite defeat.

Wigan Warriors opened the Super Four with another emphatic win over the Rhinos, continuing their dominant unbeaten run.

Denis Betts’ side scored nine tries against the Rhinos as the teams met for the second week in a row, this time with home advantage reversed.

After narrowly losing to the Warriors the previous weekend, the Rhinos were aiming to respond, but early tries from Megan Williams, Ruby Hunter and Mary Coleman inside the opening 11 minutes quickly put the contest beyond reach.

St Helens returned to winning ways, claiming their first victory since the competition split and keeping their Grand Final hopes alive.

York Valkyrie had hoped to seal their semi-final spot on September 18 with victory over Saints, but a hard-fought 14-10 win for St Helens drew them level on points. The fight for third place, and a semi-final against Leeds, will now be decided in the final round.

Both sides scored twice, with Adaoka Akwiwi crossing for York before Katie Mottershead and Shona Hoyle-Holdsworth replied for Saints. Izzy Brennan added a late try for the hosts, but Faye Gaskin’s conversions and penalty proved decisive.

In the Shield competition, Featherstone Rovers claimed a convincing win over Barrow Raiders, inspired by Tilly Churm’s hat-trick on her return to the side.

Barrow levelled through Nicole Stewart’s converted try, but Rovers pulled away through Churm, Ash Prescott, Aaliyah Brewster and Emillie Holmes.

Huddersfield Giants also recorded another Shield victory, overcoming Leigh Leopards in the penultimate round.

The Giants delivered another commanding performance, keeping the Leopards scoreless. Amelia Brown crossed for an impressive six tries, taking her season tally to 23.

Maddie Hutchinson and Mollie Iceton also added two tries each as Huddersfield continued to build a lead that Leigh could not challenge.

The results leave Leigh just two points ahead of Barrow before the final round, where the two sides will meet to determine who avoids the Promotion Play-Off Final.

Super Four Results:

Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors – 12-50

York Valkyrie v St Helens – 10-14

Shield Competition Results:

Featherstone Rovers v Barrow Raiders – 34-6

Huddersfield Giants v Leigh Leopards – 68-0