Swinton Lionesses  0          Illingworth 20

27 September 2022

Alan Dixon at Blue Ribbon Playing Fields

A large crowd turned out to watch the Lionesses bid for promotion in the play-off semi-final. They were treated to an end to end game but, it was third placed Illingworth that came out on top. 

Defences dominated the game with scoring chances being few and far between. The first chance came in the 17th minute. With the Lionesses on the attack, Rebecca Roden was tackled just short of the line. Georgia Cunliffe went over from acting half but was deemed to have knocked on while trying to score. Illingworth moved downfield on their next attack but were forced to kick the ball at the end of the set. The Lionesses lost the ball bringing it away from their own line and Illingworth recovered it. They moved it out wide for Charlotte McCauliffe to score near the corner. Reagan Walker missed the conversion. Illingworth led 4-0 after 19 minutes.

The next chance came in the 31st minute. With the Lionesses pressurising the Illingworth line, Maddie Corrigan broke through the defence. The ball was ripped out of her grasp but, she managed to recover the ball to score. The try was disallowed as the referee deemed it to be a knock on. Illingworth went back on the attack. A Lionesses mistake led to a scrum 10 metres from their own line. The ball was moved out to the wing for Niamh Cresswell to dive over in the corner. Again it was disallowed for a knock on.

The Lionesses lost the ball from the kick off at the start of the second half. Illingworth moved the ball infield and Elizabeth Stubley barged her way over under the posts to score with less than a minute played. Reagan Walker converted as Illingworth stretched their lead to 10-0. The Lionesses couldn’t make anything of their chances. Illingworth forced a drop out in the 65th minute. They eventually scored again 6 minutes later when Elizabeth Stubley scored her second try near the posts. Reagan Walker converted for a 16-0 Illingworth lead. The final score of the game came in the 78th minute. Reagan Walker barged her way over in the corner from a Lionesses drop out. She was unable to add the extras to her try.

It was not to be for the Lionesses, but they can be proud of what they have achieved in their first season.

Teams :

Swinton Lionesses : Maddie Higson, Izzy Birds, Mia Atherton, Maddie Corrigan, Daisy Pearson, Ashley Deas, Ellie Thirkell, Leah Christian, Eve Ashcroft, Abbie Parkes-Holden, Emily Haley, Rebecca Roden, Georgia Cunliffe. SUBS : Patrycja Baranek, Chloe Birkett, Libby Curran, Holly Grimes, Jo Mullins, Mollie Scotson, Chloe Latham

Illingworth : Holly Waddington, Niamh Cresswell, Lilliebelle Hunter, Charlotte McCauliffe, Hollie Kirby, Julia Lowery, Angel Bentley, Sienna McPherson, Jess Oldroyd, Elizabeth Stubley, Gabbie Kaney, Emily Mawdsley, Reagan Walker. SUBS : Shelby Easton, Maia Tatikos, Debbie Smith, Codie Waller, Alice Stubley, Macy McDermott, Tira Murray

Tries : McCauliffe (19), E. Stubley (41,71), Walker (78)

Goals : Walker 2

Referee : Danny Tindall

Pens : 5-4                  Half Time : 0-4