Betfred Women’s Super League Round 6
Friday 27 June 2025
Leeds Rhinos 48-12 Leigh Leopards
AMT Headingley (5:15pm)
Leopards are improving week by week in the elite competition of the women’s game but understandably finding it hard to bridge the gap between the top four teams and the rest.
In their first season in Super League, Leopards have recorded wins against Barrow and Warrington but found it hard work against cup-winners Wigan, last year’s champions York and now the long established and talented Leeds side.
It’s all a big learning curve and step-up for Kieron Purtill’s team who have already been handed a lesson in just how high the bar is among the elite.
Rhinos ran in ten tries in all, but Leopards competed well for long periods and crafted three tries.
Toryn Blackwwod crossed for the game’s opening try on the right after quick passing across the line.
In their best spell of the game Leopards scored twice in succession in the third quarter.
Kate Howard nipped over from dummy half after Abi Johnston was held up just short and Mackenzie Taylor blasted over on the right.
Trailing 20-4 at half-time, Leopards more than gave a good account of themselves in that first period.
After an hour they were 30-12 behind and looking threatening with the ball in hand.
But with Australian halfback Mel Howard dictating matters, Rhinos dominated the closing stages, posting three late tries to go close to the half century mark.
Howard’s halfback partner Ruby Walker and fullback Ebony Stead were other Rhinos’ standouts as nine players got in on the scoring act, demonstrating the fine teamwork of the home side.
Leopards now have a weekend off before facing trips to York, St Helens and Barrow during July.
They then close their inaugural Super League season with four home games out of five.
Rhinos
Ebony Stead; Liv Whitehead, Sophie Nuttall, Jenna Greening, Evie Cousins; Mel Howard, Ruby Walker; Izzy Northrop, Keara Bennett, Ella Donnelly, Shannon Brown, Connie Boyd, Bethan Dainton
Bench:
Bella Sykes, Ruby Bruce, Grace Short, Jess Sharp. 18th player: Frankie Blakey (not used)
Tries:
Northrop (8), Walker (17, 38), Howard (32), Dainton (41), Whitehead (43), Bruce (62), Brown (69), Cousins (77), Nuttall (80)
Goals:
Howard 4/ 10
Leopards
Hattie Dogus; Toryn Blackwood, Mackenzie Taylor, Storm Cobain, Abi Johnston; Rhianna Burke, Leah Morris; Eleanor Dainty, Kate Howard, Emily Baggaley, Keli Morris, Charlotte Melvin, Abby Latchford
Bench:
Lucy Johnson, Alice Fisher, Maddie Higson, Hannah Roberts. 18th player: Macy McDermott (not used)
Tries:
Blackwood (3), Howard (52), Taylor (57)
Goals:
Melvin 0/ 3
Referee: O Taylor; Touch judges: J Broomhead & J Woolass
Penalty count: 4-6
GLDO: 1-0
Scoring sequence: 0-4, 6-4, 10-4, 16-4, 20-4 (ht) 26-4, 30-4, 30-8, 30-12, 34-12, 38-12, 44-12, 48-12
