Swinton Lionesses won their first ever trophy with a hard earned victory over Salford Red Devils in the Challenge Shield at the Millennium Stadium.
Playing uphill in the first half, the Lionesses were the first to score in the 8th minute. After sustained pressure by Salford, the Lionesses were given a penalty which allowed them to clear their own line. They were soon on the attack with Shannon Stephens being tackled just short of the line. The ball was quickly moved across to Sammi Simpson who raced away to score in the corner. Beth Hayes was unable to convert. The Lionesses went back on the attack 4 minutes later. Good runs by Shannon Stephens, Emma Welsford and Abbie Singleton resulted in Emma Welsford being tackled just short of the line on the last tackle. Salford went back on the attack and a kick downfield ended with the Lionesses being tackled into touch. From the restart Salford moved the ball across the field to winger Marnie-Lee Kelly who dropped the ball into touch as she went for the line.
Shannon Stephens broke through the Salford line in the 21st minute to set up the Lionesses next attack. It ended with them turning the ball over on the last tackle as Abbie Singleton was tackled just short of the line. Salford went back onto the attack 4 minutes later. The ball was moved out wide to Lily Gray who was wide open and looked certain to score but, a superb cover tackle by Grace Pritchard forced her into touch. From the scrum, the ball was moved out to Grace Pritchard who broke through the Salford defence and was then high tackled by Anna Dennis. Salford went back on the attack. A chip over the top put Anna Dennis in with a chance of scoring but she couldn’t collect the ball cleanly.
The second half started with the Lionesses going on the attack. The Lionesses were forced into touch in the 49th minute. From the restart, Jardine McVernon broke through the Swinton defence. The attack came to nothing as a kick ahead went dead in goal. A good one-two between Emma Welsford and Abbie Singleton put the Lionesses back on the attack but, it ended in another knock on. The Lionesses thought they had scored in the 56th minute. Breaks by Abbie Singleton and Sammi Simpson put them back on the attack. Emma Welsford was tackled short of the line. The ball was then moved out to Shannon Stephens who took tacklers over the line with her but she lost control of the ball as she tried to ground it.
The Lionesses continued to pressurise the Salford line. They got a penalty for offside in the 63rd minute. Emma Welsford converted to give the Lionesses a 6-0 lead. The Lionesses scored again 3 minutes later. A Salford attack ended in a knock on. Good runs by Beth Hayes and Abbie Singleton put Amber Harmon through a gap but, she was held up over the line. The ball was moved out to Shannon Stephens who crashed over to score under the posts. Emma Welsford converted to double the Lionesses lead. The final score came in the 75th minute. Back to back penalties enabled Salford to attack the Lionesses line. Some great defence by the Lionesses kept them at bay. The ball was eventually move out wide to Lauren Ellison who scored in the corner. Anna Dennis missed the conversion.
Player of the match : Emma Welsford
Teams :
Salford Red Devils : Anna Dennis, Lily Gray, Alex Simpson, Lauren Ellison, Marnie-Lee Kelly, Louise Fellingham, Ellie Costello, Emily Bagguley, Taz Corcoran, Lydia Egan, Stephanie Gray, Jadine McVernon, Maddison Price. Subs : Sophie Morris, Caitlin Washington, Kayleigh Bradshaw, Megan Bragg, Abigail Collins, Holly Waddington, Emerald Hickey.
Try : Kelly (75)
Swinton Lionesses : Eve Ashcroft, Grace Pritchard, Sammi Simpson, Libby Clarke, Chloe Newbigging, Emma Welsford, Beth Hayes, Darcey Price, Abbie Singleton, Holly McDougall, Jasmine Wilson, Amber Harmon, Shannon Stephens. Subs : Amelia Newton, Morgan Pearson, Tiegan Shaw, Chloe Lyons, Harriet Meakin, Amelia Morton.
Tries : Simpson (8), Stephens (66)
Goals : Welsford 2
Pens : 5-12 Half Time : 0-4 Referee : S. Wallace
Salford Red Devils 4 Swinton Lionesses 12
Alan Dixon at Millennium Stadium
