Women’s Championship North, Twist Lane, Sunday 10 March 2024 (2pm)
Leigh Leopards 40-0 Salford Red Devils
Leigh Leopards continued their winning start to their league campaign with an impressive eight-try victory over the Red Devils in testing conditions at Twist Lane.
The Leopards scored four tries in each half, Eleanor Dainty enjoying a dream debut with a brace and Charlotte Melvin contributing 16pts from her two tries and four goals.
Head coach Kieron Purtill was well satisfied with the display which prepares his team for the start of their Betfred Challenge Cup campaign, as Leopards take a break from league action after registering back to back wins in their first two games.
Leopards face Super League opposition twice in the next fortnight in the group stage of the cup competition, with Leeds Rhinos and then Huddersfield Giants visiting Twist Lane.
Reflecting on the game Kieron Purtill said: “I’ve told the team in the dressing room that was the best professional performance since I’ve been involved.
“We spoke pre-match that the conditions weren’t easy, the ball was greasy, and the pitch was on the heavy side. It was all about us going about our business efficiently which we did from the first minute and carried that through the 80 minutes.
“We spoke as a group that we must keep building on last year and the team is gelling well and has a balanced look about it. The new faces have fitted in well.
“Our defence was very good today and to keep a team to zero is a credit to the girls for the effort they put in.”
Leopards’ right edge with Storm Cobain and Melvin combining effectively in attack and defence caused Salford problems all afternoon. The Leopards’ bench was also strong with fine contributions from all four players.
Hattie Dogus cut through on the right for a sharply taken opening try before the powerful Dainty came off the bench to mark her Leopards debut with a try.
Kate Howard then scythed through the heart of the Salford defence for a fine try from dummy half before Toryn Blackwood added a fourth by the right corner flag after another good combination.
The second half saw Leopards carry on where they left off despite losing Freya Turner and captain Mairead Quinn to separate spells in the sin bin.
Mevin, switched to centre from the pack this year, twice scored out wide from Cobain assists while Abi Gordon and Dainty showed good footwork and strength to score closer to the posts.
Salford tried hard throughout and defended resolutely but had few openings in attack thanks to the strong and committed Leopards defence.
Leopards:
1 Hattie Dogus; 2 Toryn Blackwood, 12 Charlotte Melvin, 4 Gabi Leigh, 28 Freya Turner; 6 Rhianna Burke, 7 Leah Morris; 8 Keira McCosh, 9 Kate Howard, 10 Mairead Quinn (capt), 11 Keli Morris, 16 Storm Cobain, 18 Grace Hill.
Bench: 17 Claire Mullaney, 24 Abi Gordon, 20 Eleanor Dainty, 16 Sam Brazier.
Tries: Dogus (4), Dainty (26, 64), Howard (30), Blackwood (39), Melvin (47, 74), Gordon (53)
Goals: Melvin 4/ 8
Sin bins: Turner (49), Quinn (70)
Red Devils
4 Alexandra Simpson; 19 Emily Webb, 10 Summer Harris, 12 Jadine McVernon, 23 Lily-May Gray; 7 Samantha Evans, 9 Tamzin Corcoran; 15 Emerald Hickey, 5 Rebecca Davies, 17 Emily Bagguley, 11 Jennifer Myler, 8 Abigail Collins, 13 Sophie Morris.
Bench: Lydia Egan, 27 Holly Grimes, 26 Natasha Routh, 16 Darcey Price.
Scores: 4-0, 10-0, 16-0, 20-0 (ht) 24-0, 30-0, 36-0, 40-0
Referee: Luke Flavell
Next game
Betfred Challenge Cup Group Stage
Leopards v Rhinos, at Twist Lane, Sunday 17 March 2024 (Note: Noon kick-off)