Leigh Leopards Women’s team are hoping to mark their inaugural season by clinching a place in the expanded Betfred Super League competition for 2024 when they face Barrow Raiders in York on Sunday.
It’s a high noon showdown for the Leopards- Raiders Promotion Play-Off Final at the LNER Community Stadium and a game head coach Kieron Purtill is eagerly awaiting.
The best part of 11 months of preparation, training, conditioning, and matches is on the line for both teams as the Women’s game expands its elite Super League from six to eight clubs for 2024.
For Purtill, who has 20 years of experience in the coaching ranks including England Lions, an assistant in Super League and head coach in the Championship, being involved in the women’s game has been a new but enjoyable experience.
“It’s been fantastic,” he says. “I’m in awe of the girls, they go to work, college, or university; they’re mums, sisters or daughters and dedicate so much time to training and playing the games. I just turn up and coach and get paid for doing my job, but they don’t get paid and play for the love of the game. Their dedication is amazing and hopefully they’ll get their reward.”
Featherstone Rovers have already clinched their place as Super League 2 champions on a dramatic final day of the league programme, beating Bradford in their last match and then looking on as the Raiders won 14-12 at the Leopards Den. That loss denied Purtill’s side the championship while Barrow’s winning margin was agonisingly short of the eight-point margin they needed to top Rovers on points difference.
Now both sides have a second chance and Purtill is relishing the occasion.
“The Women’s game is coming on in leaps and bounds and this will be a really big occasion.,” he said. “It’s a fantastic venue with a great playing surface and everyone knows what’s at stake.
“Barrow turned us over at LSV and we know they are really tough opponents so it will be an exciting game.”
The Raiders beat Bradford Bulls 62-0 in their Play-Off Semi-Final while the Leopards defeated Salford Red Devils 28-10 at Twist Lane.
Two-try Ellise Derbyshire, switched from centre to loose forward, and the versatile Rhianna Burke, who capped a fine display with a try, were two of the star performers.
“Ellise has been superb all year and deserved her selection as vice-captain of the England RL DiSE squad that played in France,” Purtill said. “She showed her international class. She has speed and footwork and has the nickname of ‘The Jet.’ She certainly turned on the jet burners for her second try which as good as you’ll see in the women’s game.
“Rhianna is the ultimate team player and alternated between centre and the hooking role in that game, though she’s also played in a lot of other positions this year. “
Purtill feels his side learned the lessons of their recent defeat to Barrow. The pressure game, switched to LSV and with the title at stake, saw his side make a huge defensive effort but fail to play with their normal attacking fluency.
“The call going into the Salford game was that there were no excuses,” he said. “The girls have played at some big stadiums this season and in pressure games so they will have learned from that. We challenged the backs to be the best they could be and against Salford I thought they were superb.
“That’s the focus going into the Barrow game, to focus on ourselves and do the right things.”
The Super League Grand Final between Leeds Rhinos and hosts York Valkyrie follows the Promotion Final with a 3pm kick-off and the double header should produce a great finish to the season. Purtill is hoping there will be a large Leopards following to ‘#betheroar.’
“Our fans have been superb all year,” he said. “The numbers for our home games at Leigh Miners have been growing game by game and we had two good crowds for the games at LSV, 1,200 and 1,300. At away games, starting at Bradford when we secured a draw in the last minute, then at Hull KR in the cup and every game since we’ve had a good and vocal following and I’m sure that will be the case next Sunday.
“At this stage of the season you either want to be champions or to still be in with a chance and we have given ourselves a good chance of promotion.
“We’ve had a good season, and we are not finished yet.”
The Leopards and Raiders have met three times already this season. The Leopards won 30-22 in the cup at Twist Lane and 14-0 at Barrow in the league but the Raiders won 14-12 at LSV in that return league fixture.
The experience of former international halfback Beth Stott, who came out of retirement to join the Leopards in mid-season will be crucial alongside captain Mairead Quinn and Keli Morris in the forwards.
Emma Knowles’ fine goalkicking has already brought her close to a half century of goals and century of points for the season and she is one of four ever-presents. Though 30 players have turned out in the Leopards colours so far, 14 have played in ten games or more.
Team captain Mairead Quinn ensured her side reacted positively to the recent Barrow defeat and has her sights firmly set on winning the final.
“We were disappointed with our performance,” she said. “We went away from our processes against Barrow and made too many errors. We let them control the game. No team can defend as long as we did.
“We’ve reviewed it and gone again.
“We want to do it for each other, for the club and the town. It means a lot to us. We’ve worked hard from the beginning of the season and we are privileged to have a second opportunity.”
Leigh Leopards Women’s side in review
Women’s Super League 2: Played 10, Won 7, Drawn 1, Lost 2, For 271, Against 108. Position 3rd.
All games: Played 15, Won 10, Drawn 1, Lost 4, For 367, Against 264.
Most appearances:
15- Toryn Blackwood, Kate Howard, Emma Knowles, Keli Morris
14- Ellise Derbyshire, Mairead Quinn
13- Rhianna Burke, Elise Gater, Kirsty Millington, Mackenzie Taylor
12- Hatice Dogus, Vicky Rosevere
11- Grace Hill
10- Olivia Boyham
Top tries:
11- Ellise Derbyshire
9- Elise Gater, Mackenzie Taylor
7- Toryn Blackwood
Top goals:
48 (47&1DG)- Emma Knowles
Top points:
99- Emma Knowles
Barrow Raiders in review
Women’s Super League 2: Played 10, Won 8, Lost 2, For 336, Against 88. Position 2nd.
All games: Played 14, Won 10, Lost 4, For 444, Against 173.
Most appearances:
14- Claire Hutchinson, Emma Hutchinson, Beth Lindsay, Jodie Litherland, Jodie Morley
13- Kelly Friend, Sam Nelson
12- Leah Clough, Mia Dobson, Demi Fisher, Michelle Larkin, Hannah Sherlock, Emily Stirzaker
11- Leah Cottier, Kerrie-Ann Smith
10- India Jackson, Charlotte Todhunter
Most tries:
10—Emily Stirzaker
8- Hannah Sherlock, Charlotte Todhunter
7- Emma Hutchinson, Jodie Litherland
6- Claire Hutchinson, Jodie Morley, Sam Norman
Top goals:
43- Jodie Litherland
Top points:
114- Jodie Litherland
