Swinton Lionesses 38 Leigh Miners Rangers 8
The Lionesses progressed to the quarter-finals of the Challenge Shield with a thrilling second half performance that blew away Leigh Miners.
In a tight first half, the Lionesses were first to score in the 5th minute. Following a charge down, good runs by Ellie Jelves and Darcey Price set up Eve Ashcroft who cut through the defence to score out wide. Michelle Davis was unable to convert. The Lionesses doubled their lead in the 12th minute. Leigh were caught offside. From the tap, a 25 metre run by Darcey Price was followed by a 10 metre run by Cat Davies which allowed Jasmine Wilson to cut back to the outside to score in the corner. The conversion from Michelle Davis fell just short.
Leigh got on the scoreboard in the 21st minute. After sustained pressure, Sara Gopikrishnan crashed through the Lionesses defence to score. Lily Jones missed the conversion. Leigh levelled the scores in the 32nd minute after numerous penalties allowed them to progress down field. Sara Gopikrishnan forced her way over to score in the corner. Katie Tymon missed the conversion. The Lionesses went back on the attack. They almost scored in the 37th minute but, Chloe Newbigging was tackled into touch as she tried to score in the corner. Good defence by the Lionesses forced Leigh to kick from deep. Eve Ashcroft collected the ball to set up the Lionesses final attack of the half. A superb pass by Beth Hayes sent Chloe Newbigging in to score in the corner. Again the conversion was missed and the Lionesses led 12-8 at the break.
Leigh were penalised for obstruction in the 45th minute. From the penalty, the Lionesses moved the ball quickly across the field and a short pass by Michelle Davis put Sammi Simpson through a gap to score. Again the conversion was missed. The Lionesses next try came in the 52nd minute. From a scrum in their own half, the ball was moved out to Morgan Pearson who went on a 60 metre run before being tackled. From the play the ball, Chloe Newbigging raced 20 metres to score under the posts. Michelle Davis converted to increase the lead to 22-8. From the restart, Cailey Miller was sent on a 70 metre run to score under the posts. Michelle Davis converted. The Lionesses broke out of defence with a Morgan Pearson 35 metre run which ended in a penalty. Unfortunately it came to nothing.
Morgan Pearson went on a defence splitting 32 metre run in the 63rd minute. Again it ended in a penalty. From the penalty, the ball was quickly moved across the field to Jodie Morris who put Sammi Simpson through a gap to score out wide. Michelle Davis converted. The final points came in the 71st minute. The Lionesses regained possession of the ball and went on the attack. The ball was moved out wide to Sammi Simpson who drew in the winger before slipping the ball out to Cailey Miller to score in the corner. The conversion was missed.
Player of the match : Cailey Miller
Teams :
Swinton Lionesses : Eve Ashcroft, Cailey Miller, Sammi Simpson, Libby Clarke, Chloe Newbigging, Chloe Sopp, Michelle Davis, Darcey Price, Emma Dwyer, Cat Davies, Jasmine Wilson, Tiegan Shaw, Ellie Jelves. Subs : Lottie Meacham, Morgan Pearson, Jodie Morris, Shannon Stephens, Beth Hayes, Ellie Thirkell, Natasha Ryder.
Tries : Ashcroft (5), Wilson (12), Newbigging (39,52,), Simpson (45,64), Miller (56, 71)
Goals : Davis 3
Leigh Miners Rangers : Gabrielle Leigh, Lavinia Taiseni, Louise Boardman, Georgia Mole, Katie Tymon, Lily Jones, Neve Coleman, Niamh O’Connor, Kaitlin Clarke, Cara Williamson, Anna Croft, Charlotte Hill, Vicky Rosevere. Subs : Ellie Walsh, Ruby Bailey, Alisha Lawrence, Sara Gopikrishnan, Catherine Sweeney.
Tries : Gopikrishnan (21,32)
Pens : 9-10 Half Time : 12-8 Referee : Dylan Barlow Attendance : 260
Alan Dixon at Haydock ARLFC
Pictures – MKS PHOTOGRAPHY
