Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Group C
Saturday 5 April 2025, AMT Headingley Stadium (1pm)
Leeds Rhinos 46-4 Leigh Leopards
Leopards were given a short, sharp lesson in the extent of the challenge they face in the topflight this year as Rhinos dominated the season opener at Headingley.
Newly promoted after a record-breaking Championship season, then by winning three grand finals in successive weeks, Kieron Purtill’s team open their Betfred Women’s Super League campaign next month.
This Challenge Cup group game provided a stern test as a new-look Rhinos team looked sharp, fast and powerful as they ran in nine tries in the sunshine.
Leopards lacked several key performers from last season with Charlotte Melvin, Kate Howard, Keli Morris, Grace Hill and Hattie Dogus all unavailable through injury while last season’s captain Mairead Quinn has handed over the reins to Storm Cobain while she prepares for the birth of her first child.
Purtill brought in five players on debut: ex-Warrington Wolves trio Abi Johnston, Abby Latchford and Emily Baggaley alongside Leigh Miners Rangers product Maddie Higson and Macy McDermott, signed from Illingworth.
There was a welcome return for Mackenzie Taylor, who missed the whole of the 2024 season through injury.
Rhinos made a devastating start to the game, running in four tries in the opening 14 minutes to establish an 18-0 lead.
Sophie Nuttall, Keara Bennett, Lucy Murray and Ruby Walker all crossed as Leopards struggled to get a foothold in the game.
Leopards regrouped well, enjoyed several spells of pressure and conceded only one more try before the interval, a superb 60-metre effort by Murray.
Evie Cousins opened the second half scoring with the try of the afternoon, a sensational 90-metre finish but Leopards grew more into the game.
The visitors’ efforts were rewarded when Lucy Johnson forced her way over the line from close range.
Rhinos added three further tries in the last quarter as Leopards fought hard in a rearguard action.
Captain Mel Howard scored twice in quick succession, the second another long distance try, and Ella Donnelly completed the scoring as an entertaining game drew towards a conclusion.
Leopards are next in action on Easter Sunday, 19 April when Sheffield Eagles visit the Leopards Den (1pm) for the second and final group game. The winners will progress to the quarterfinals.
Purtill will have learned much from this game and is able to take positives from his team’s work rate, togetherness and character. He’s under no illusions about the challenge his newly promoted team faces, particularly against the top four sides, of which the Rhinos are always one.
Rhinos
Ebony Stead; Liv Whitehead, Jenna Greening, Evie Cousins, Sophie Nuttall; Mel Howard (capt), Ruby Walker; Izzy Northop, Keara Bennett, Kaiya Glynn. Shannon Lacey, Lucy Murray, Ella Donnelly
Bench:
Ruby Bruce, Connie Boyd, Elle Frain, Grace Short. 18th player: Lacey Owen
Tries:
Nuttall (4), Bennett (8), Murray (11, 25), Walker (14), Cousins (45), Howard (62, 70), Donnelly (75)
Goals:
Walker 1/ 5, Howard 4/ 4
Leopards
Becky Greenfield; Toryn Blackwood, Mackenzie Taylor, Mollie Young, Abigail Johnston; Rhianna Burke, Leah Morris; Eleanor Dainty, Maddison Higson, Emily Baggaley, Storm Cobain (capt), Claire Collins, Abby Latchford
Bench:
Abi Gordon, Sam Brazier, Lucy Johnson, Macy McDermott. 18th player: Kim Seddon
Try:
Johnson (56)
Goals: Cobain 0/ 1
Debuts and Heritage Numbers:
Abi Johnston (44), Maddie Higson (45), Emily Baggaley (46), Abby Latchford (47), Macy McDermott (48)
Scoring sequence:
4-0, 8-0, 12-0, 18-0, 24-0 (ht) 30-0, 30-4, 36-4, 40-4, 46-4
