Women’s Championship
Saturday 31 August, Sutton Park, Leigh Miners Rangers Academy (2pm)
Leigh Leopards 60-0 Bradford Bulls
Charlotte Melvin scored a club record four tries as Leopards’ 11-try demolition of the Bulls was the perfect way to celebrate the honour of Championship League Leaders.
Played 15, Won 15, Points for 784, Against 64 is the impressive record of Kieron Purtill’s side, who complete their regular season at Stanningley next Sunday (8 September, 2pm) before the play-offs begin.
Melvin led the way with another outstanding display, also contributing eight goals for a 32-point personal haul to equal her club points record set against Castleford Tigers two games ago.
She has now scored 254 points this season from 18 tries and 91 goals.
On a beautiful late summer afternoon in front of a large crowd at Sutton Park, Leopards staged a festival of Women’s Rugby League with an under 16s game between Leigh Miners and Hull Under 16s the curtain raiser and a skills session at half-time.
Bulls, playing the last game of their season, were bolstered by some late additions to their team after arriving short-handed.
Leopards players Robyn Bell-Soppelsa, Sam Brazier, Eleanor Dainty, Abi Gordon and Kim Seddon all got valuable game time on temporary loan and ensured everyone enjoyed their afternoon.
Toryn Blackwood and Gabi Leigh returned after injury lay-offs for Leopards with ex-Wigan Warriors prop Lucy Johnson on debut and earning heritage number HN#43.
Hattie Dogus set Leopards on the way with a third minute try, her 22nd of the season.
Mollie Young’s double which took her try tally for the season to 17, Leah Morris, Melvin and Claire Collins all crossed as Leopards opened a 32-0 lead at the interval.
Bulls never stopped trying and had several spells of pressure but failed to break the Leopards’ defence.
Melvin crossed for a second half hat-trick with further tries by Storm Cobain, her 16th of the campaign, and Claire Mullaney.
Leopards
Hattie Dogus; Toryn Blackwood, Charlotte Melvin, Mollie Young, Freya Turner; Rhianna Burke, Leah Morris; Lucy Johnson, Kate Howard, Mairead Quinn, Keli Morris, Storm Cobain, Grace Hill
Bench: Kiera McCosh, Gabi Leigh, Claire Mullaney, Claire Collins
Tries:
Dogus (3), Young (8, 32), L Morris (25), Melvin (35, 45, 60, 77), Collins (38), Cobain (52), Mullaney (65)
Goals:
Melvin 8/ 11
Scoring sequence: 6-0, 12-0, 18-0, 22-0, 26-0, 32-0 (ht) 38-0, 44-0, 48-0, 54-0, 60-0
Referee:
Tyler Topping-Higson
