Manchester Swinton Lionesses   32       Widnes Vikings   6

Alan Dixon at Ince Rose Bridge ARLFC

Manchester Swinton Lionesses continued their preparation for the upcoming season with an impressive victory over a stubborn Widnes Vikings side.

Widnes had the better of the opening exchanges but good defence by the Lionesses kept them at bay. The Lionesses next attack ended with Tamika Bull being tackled just short of the line. They continued to attack the Widnes line but were unable to break through. The Vikings best chance of the half came in the 18th minute. After pressurising the Lionesses line, they put a kick into the in-goal to force a drop out. A good run by Kerrie Evans set up the opening score as Sammi Simpson crashed over to score by the posts in the 19th minute. Maddie Higson converted to put the Lionesses 6-0 up.

Another strong run by Kerrie Evans set up another Lionesses attack. A kick by Maddie Higson was recovered by Naoimh Gill-Ward to set up the Vikings next attack which ended with a knock on. From the scrum, the Lionesses attacked the Vikings line. Sammi Simpson was tackled short of the line. Morgan Pearson dived over from dummy half but was held up. Sammi Simpson then went over for the Lionesses second try. Maddie Higson was unable to convert. The game then became scrappy as both sides found it difficult to control the ball in the wet and windy conditions.

The Lionesses scored again in the 47th minute. They attacked the Vikings line. Tamika Bull switched the ball back inside. Quick hands moved the ball across the field to Chloe Newbigging who dived in at the corner. Maddie Higson converted to give the Lionesses a 16-0 lead. The Lionesses continued to attack the Widnes line. Kerrie Evans went on another good run and was tackled short of the line. The Vikings next attack ended with them loosing the ball. Kerrie Evans collected the ball and went on a 35 metre run which ended with Widnes conceding a penalty. From the penalty, they were tackled short of the Widnes line. Tamika Bull dived over from dummy half to score. Maddie Higson converted.

The Vikings only score came in the 65th minute when they got the ball out wide to Tracy Peet who went in at the corner. Aimee Wood added the extras. Three minutes later, Tamika Bull went on a run before moving the ball out to Kerrie Evans but, she lost control of the ball in the tackle just short of the line. The Lionesses scored again three minutes from time. Widnes knocked on close to their own line. From the scrum, the ball was moved out to Kerrie Evans who drew in the defence before passing the ball out to Chloe Newbigging to score in the corner. The conversion was missed. From the restart, the Lionesses moved the ball up field. The ball was moved out to Chloe Newbigging to score near the corner. Maddie Higson converted to complete the scoring.

Teams :

Manchester Swinton Lionesses : Leila D’Symonds, Chloe Newbigging, Kerrie Evans, Grace Arrowsmith, Sydney Alderman-Smith, Maddie Higson, Tamika Bull, Georgia Lake, Abbie Singleton, Tiegan Shaw, Sammi Simpson, Amelia Morton, Amber Harmon. Subs : Eve Ashcroft, Kelly Morgan, Morgan Pearson, Amelia Newton, Olivia Harborow, Holly McDougall, Grace King.

Tries : Simpson (19,24), Newbigging (47,76,79), Bull (58)

Goals : Higson 4

Widnes Vikings : Naoimh Gill-Ward, Hannah Quick, Rachel Porter, Marnie-Lee Kelly, Evie Price-Horrocks, Hollie Jones, Aimee Wood, Hannah Whitehead, Sammy Traynor, Tracy Peet, Chloe Richardson, Hannah Goulbourne, Codie Slack. Subs : Lily Wilkinson, Vicky Grace, Carraghan Hannon, Jessica Kirby, Samantha Buer.

Try : Peet

Goal : Wood

Pens : 2-7