Betfred Women’s Super League Round 5
Sunday 22 June 2025 (2pm)
Wigan Warriors 60-6 Leigh Leopards
Robin Park Arena
Leopards saw at first hand the excellence of the Betfred Challenge Cup holders who ran in 11 tries in the first Women’s Super League Battle of the Borough.
Newly promoted Leopards always knew that the top four sides in the league- Saints, York and Leeds the others- are streets ahead of the rest at this stage. Now Wigan, who have begun the season so impressively, look well placed to add the league title to their collection of silverware.
Realistically Leopards must compete against the top sides and learn from the best as they seek to consolidate in their first season in the top-flight.
Early season home wins against Barrow Raiders and Warrington Wolves helped them get their season off to a flying start and leopards’ priority is to win the return games. If they do, they should ensure safety.
Fullback Grace Banks led the way with a sparkling hat-trick with winger Anna Davies, second row Eva Hunter and substitute Mia-Jayne Atherton collecting braces as Warriors put together some dynamic passages of team play.
Australian centre Tiana Power and Georgia Wilson completed the Warriors try-scorers, with halfback Isabel Rowe piling on the agony with eight goals.
938 fans watched the high-speed action at the impressive Robin Park Arena that the Warriors have made home for their women’s, reserves and junior sides. The attendance set a new Wigan club record for a standalone women’s game.
Leopards, who gave a debut to ex Saints forward Hannah Roberts, rarely threatened in a one-sided first half as the Warriors scored at nearly a point a minute.
38-0 behind at the break, Leopards gave a markedly improved second half display, conceding only four further tries.
Kate Howard nipped over from dummy half after captain Storm Cobain was hauled down just short for Leopards’ consolation try, Charlotte Melvin adding an excellent angled conversion.
Leopards now go to Leeds Rhinos next Friday (5:15pm) as part of a double header with the men’s game between the two teams. They then visit York and St Helens before the return game at Barrow at the end of July.
Warriors
Grace Banks; Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Taina Power; Ellise Derbyshire; Jenna Foubister, Isabel Rowe; Mary Coleman, Remi Wilton, Holly Speakman, Eva Hunter, Cerys Jones, Victoria Molyneux
Bench:
Mia-Jayne Atherton, Rease Casey, Jade Gregory-Haselden, Rachel Thompson. 18th player: Kaitlin Hilton (not used)
Tries:
Hunter (2, 18), Banks (7, 30, 80), Power (15), Davies (22, 64), Atherton (40, 71), Wilson (56)
Goals:
Rowe 8/ 11
Leopards
Becky Geenfield; Toryn Blackwood, Mackenzie Taylor, Storm Cobain, Hattie Dogus; Rhianna Burke, Leah Morris; Eleanor Dainty, Kate Howard, Alice Fisher, Keli Morris, Charlotte Melvin, Emily Baggaley
Bench:
Abi Gordon, Lucy Johnson, Macy McDermott, Hannah Roberts. 18th player@ Grace Hill (not used)
Try:
Howard (46)
Goals:
Melvin 1/ 1
Scoring sequence: 6-0, 10-0, 14-0, 20-0, 26-0, 32-0, 38-0 (ht) 38-6, 42-6, 48-6, 54-6, 60-6
Referee:
Josh Pemberton;
Touch judges:
Rebecca Floyd & Esmai Wright
Penalty count: 3-5
Attendance: 938 (club record for a standalone women’s game)
