Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Group Stage
Leigh Leopards 4-52 Leeds Rhinos
Twist Lane, Sunday 17 May 2024 (2pm)
Leopards head coach Kieron Purtill derived plenty of positives from his side’s Challenge Cup defeat against one of the top sides in the women’s game.
Rhinos, twice winners of the competition, scored ten tries in their first competitive match of the season but the Leopards acquitted themselves well in such good company and had the consolation of a finely executed Toryn Blackwood try in return.
“We spoke as a group in the week that it was important what we got out of the game,” Purtill said. “The scoreline was irrelevant, it was what we did as a team and the little improvements we made. People going about their job and the things we want to work on. I think we did that.
“There were periods in the first half where it would have been easy to give in, but the girls didn’t. They chased back and scrambled well and kept going to the end. They’re the things that are important.
“It was nice to get over for a try as well. Toryn took her try well and I thought she was superb throughout the game as well.
“It was good for the girls to play against a team of that quality and see where they need to improve, the things they need to work on. Ultimately, playing at the top level is where we want to be.”
Isla Aspden was taken to hospital in an ambulance as a precaution after suffering a neck injury early in the second half. The long delay while she received treatment understandably affected the flow of the game once play resumed.
“Both medical teams were superb on the field and that’s testament to our game that when there is a problem everyone jumps into action and works together,” Purtill said. “Isla has gone to hospital for checks, and we are waiting for those to come back.”
Purtill handed debuts to Georgia Mole and Maddie Price off the bench and rotated his squad, giving a first game for the season to several players.
“The way the Challenge Cup is structured it’s very hard for Championship teams to progress,” he said. “It’s important to enjoy the games, get as much out of them as you can and learn the lessons going forward.”
Rhinos, delayed in traffic en route, soon kicked into gear when play began ten minutes late. Four of their five first half tries came in the first 16 minutes and threatened a points avalanche but the Leopards dug in and showed plenty of resolve. Blackwood’s try in the right corner after a swift passing move across the line was their reward.
Rhinos added five second half tries but the Leopards never stopped trying and will have gained much from the game for when their Championship campaign resumes in a month’s time.
Next Sunday another Super League outfit are in town when Huddersfield Giants visit Twist Lane (2pm) and the Leopards complete the group stage by visiting Hull KR on 7 April with the top two teams in the group progressing to the quarterfinals.
Leopards:
1 Hattie Dogus; 2 Toryn Blackwood, 12 Charlotte Melvin, 6 Rhianna Burke, 19 Isla Aspden; 24 Abi Gordon, 7 Leah Morris; 10 Mairead Quinn (capt), 9 Kate Howard, 21 Kirsty Millington, 15 Sam Brazier, 16 Storm Cobain, 13 Claire Collins.
Bench: 23 Georgia Mole, 30 Maddie Price, 26 Libbi-Mae Leppert, 25 Olivia Boyham.
Try: Blackwood (27); Goals: Melvin 0/ 1
Debuts: Georgia Mole (HN#37), Maddie Price (HN#38)
Rhinos:
1 Ruby Enright; 18 Olivia Whitehead, 24 Bethany MacMillan, 2 Sophie Robinson, 14 Tara Moxon; 6 Hanna Butcher, 7 Caitlin Casey; 8 Zoe Hornby, 15 Jasmine Earnshaw Cudjoe, 10 Isabel Northrop, 11 Shona Hoyle, 17 Lucy Murray, 13 Bethan Dainton.
Bench: 12 Isabella Sykes, 19 Grace Field, 23 Elychia Watson, 25 Ella Donnelly
Tries: Robinson (2), Hornby (9, 70), Casey (13), Dainton (16), Murray (27), Whitehead (42), Hoyle (53), Enright (58), Moxon (64)
Goals: Enright 6/ 10
Scores: 0-4, 0-10, 0-16, 0-22, 4-22, 4-28, 4-32 (ht) 4-38, 4-42, 4-46, 4-52
