All out attack – Photo credit Kingspix
Grace Pritchard touches down – photo credit Kingspix
Manchester Swinton Lionesses 36 Sheffield Eagles 6
Alan Dixon at Ince Rose Bridge ARLFC
An historic day for the Manchester Swinton Lionesses as they took to the field for their first competitive game. They progressed to the semi-finals of the Challenge Shield and had six players on debut.
Manchester Swinton Lionesses went on the attack right from the start. A kick by Tamika Bull was fumbled by the Eagles and recovered by the Lionesses. The ball was moved out wide but the pass to Sydney Alderman-Smith was knocked down by a Sheffield hand. From the scrum, they moved the ball back into the middle of the field where Sammi Simpson crashed through the defence to score under the posts. Maddie Higson kicked the conversion. The Lionesses were soon back on the attack and causing problems for the Sheffield defence. Yasmin Parton Sotomayor was held up over the line. From the restart the ball was moved out to Georgia Briggs who was tackled short of the line. The ball was then switched back to Tamika Bull who dummied her way to the line to score. Maddie Higson converted to give the Lionesses a 12 point lead after 12 minutes. The Lionesses were awarded a penalty six minutes later which enabled them to set up another attack. The ball was moved out to Tamika Bull whose pass sent Grace Arrowsmith through a gap to score. Maddie Higson converted for an 18-0 lead. A Lionesses fumble from the restart, enabled Sheffield to attack the Lionesses line. Frankie Townend forced her way over the line but knocked on in the act of scoring.
Back to back penalties allowed the Eagles to put pressure on the Lionesses line. Rachel Eastwood crashed over to score out wide. Frankie Townend converted. Another penalty enabled Sheffield to put more pressure on the Lionesses line. Good defence by the Lionesses kept them at bay. A kick out wide by Frankie Townend for the winger went out on the full to relieve the pressure. Another penalty moved Sheffield up to the Lionesses line. Frankie Townend was tackled short and the Lionesses defence held out for another set. More Eagles pressure allowed Frankie Townend to kick out wide. Ash Hyde knocked on as she tried to catch the ball to score. The Lionesses quickly moved the ball downfield. A good run by Amber Harmon set up good field position for the Lionesses. The ball was moved out to Tamika Bull who scythed her way through the Eagles defence to score. Maddie Higson converted to give the Lionesses a 24-6 half time lead.
The Lionesses recovered the second half kick-off and went straight on the attack. A good run by Yasmin Parton Sotomayor was ended short of the line. Quick passing by Maddie Higson, Eve Ashcroft and Sydney Alderman-Smith sent Chloe Newbigging in at the corner to score. Maddie Higson was unable to convert. Morgan Pearson made a break up field which was halted by a hair pull. Jess Panayiotou was sent to the sin bin. The Lionesses went on the attack. Eve Ashcroft cut back inside and was forced to take the tackle. Quick hands by Morgan Pearson and Sammi Simpson sent Chloe Newbigging over to score in the corner. Again the conversion was missed.
The restart went out on the full. From the penalty, Georgia Briggs broke through the Eagles defence. The ball was switched out wide to Grace Pritchard who beat two defenders to score in the corner. The conversion was missed.
Teams :
Manchester Swinton Lionesses : Eve Ashcroft, Chloe Newbigging, Sydney Alderman-Smith, Grace Arrowsmith, Grace Pritchard, Tamika Bull, Maddie Higson, Georgia Lake, Abbie Singleton, Amelia Newton, Sammi Simpson, Amber Harmon, Georgia Briggs. Subs : Morgan Pearson, Madeline Neale, Leila D’Symonds, Olivia Harborow, Tiegan Shaw, Amelia Morton, Yasmin Parton Sotomayor.
Tries : Simpson (3), Bull (12,39), Arrowsmith (18), Newbigging (45,56), Pritchard (59)
Goals : Higson 4
Sheffield Eagles : Sian Judd, Tilly Davies, Ash Hyde. Bettie Lambert, Favour Irimagha, Chelsea Senior, Frankie Townend, Amy Boardman, Kayleigh West, Hailey Swann, Abbi Simpson, Jess Panayiotou, Rachel Eastwood. Subs : Evie Crowther, Brooke Price, Kim Medlock, Sinead Fleming.
Try : Eastwood (27)
Goal : Townend
Pens : 10-7 Half Time : 24-6 Referee : Isaac Carson
