2006-2007
2007 Women's Challenge & Plate Cup Finals a Cracking Easter Success
EXTRACTED FROM BARLA WEBSITE http://www.barla.org.uk/News/Details.asp?id=751
Rugby league was the winner at the Chris Moyles Stadium, Post Office Road, Featherstone as the Women’s Rugby League Association held their blue riband Challenge and Plate Cup Finals. In front of an estimated 400 supporters from all the leagues clubs, as well as neutral supporters including St Helens and Great Britain forward Lee Gilmour, they were treated to a feast of excellent tries, handling, attacking and defensive skills which were a great advert for the women’s game.
The Women’s Plate Final saw Middleton clash with Warrington in a game that ebbed and flowed with the result in doubt until the final play as the lead changed five times and saw Warrington come from 20-6 behind to win 32-28.
Warrington started off the brighter and took the lead with a converted try on five minutes when Debbie Makin crossed the white wash and Katie Hussey added the first of her four goals from six attempts.
They almost doubled the lead on 12 minutes but centre Kim Booth knocked on with the line beckoning.
Middleon then hit back and how as they scored four tries in a twelve minute spell. On 14 minutes following back to back sets winger Samantha Clowes scored in the corner and on the next set impressive stand off Sarah Gaines put a flat pass out to centre Katie Fowler who went 50 metres to score to give them an 8-6 lead.
On 20 minutes winger Amy Clithero scooted in from twenty metres from the play the ball and Zoe Brown kicked the first of her two conversions from six attempts which ultimately proved the difference at the end of the game. Six minutes later it was 20-6 as Paula Appleyard went over for a converted try following up a chip over into the in goal by Gaines.
From the restart Warrington came back as they forced a Middleton drop out from the restart. As a result stand off Katherine Organ drove over for a converted try on the third tackle. Five minutes from half time the lead was cut to four points as Kelly Hargreaves and Nic Postlewhaite combined to send Katherine Hunter in for a try.
Three minutes into the second half and Warrington retook the lead as Organ scooted over to score a converted try. The lead was short lived though as a superb Middleton handling move involving Laura Wilson, Gaines, and Pullan saw Clowes score her second try. Postlewhaite then replied with a converted try for Warrington as they regained a four point lead.
The game became a war of attrition in the hot conditions and with two minutes remaining Warrington thought they had the game won when winger Rachel Elms scored to make it 32-24.
But Middleton regained possession and Gaines put Clithero in for her second try with a minute remaining. From the restart Middleton tried a kick and chase but the ball bounced into touch and it was game over and a magnificent win for Warrington.
The player-of-the-Match was awarded to Middleton’s Amy Clithero
Steve Manning
Women’s Rugby League Association PRO
Langworthy Reds Ladies 6 v Warrington Wolves Ladies 32
Warrington ladies secured a place in the semi-final of the plate competition with a strong showing against a very determined Langworthy side. The Wolves showed their inntentions early on and camped themselves in the opposition half for the full first period. Eventually pressure told as Captain Nicollette Postlethwaite drove over the line on 7 minutes carrying 4 Langworthy players in the process. Almost immediately, Warrington scored again with a magnificent solo try from Player of the match Debbie Makin.
Langworthy tries to fight back, but on the few instances they had the ball the strong Warrington backs drove them into touch. This set up good field position for Aimee Bradshaw to score under the sticks. Nicollette Postlethwaite finished the first half off with another powerful try and with Katie Hussey kicking 4 from 4 in the first half, Warrington were 24-0 up at the break.
Langworthy came out strong in the second half but the Wolves Ladied defence was the difference between the two sides. With the game virtually secured, Warrington opened up their attack, and good free flowing rugby orchestrated by Debbie Makin, enabled debutant Kerry Eden to score out wide. Mid way through the half a 70m break by loose forward Nicollette Postlethwaite, set up a nice blind side pass for Kim Booth to score in the corner for the Wolves final try of the afternoon. The Langworthy team never gave up and they managed a consolation try with the last play of the match.
Warrington Ladies 52 - Crofton Cougars 0
Warrington Wolves Ladies proved too much for their Yorkshire rivals in an encounter that saw 11 unanswered tries from the Ladies team. The opening 10 minutes were an arm wrestle before prop Claire McGann powered through the Cougars back line to open the scoring in the right hand corner. The Warrington forwards continued to dominate with second rowers Nicholette Postlethwaite scoring twice & Aimee Bradshaw crossing the line. Full back Leonie Robertson finished the half with a superb solo effort to give the Warrington team a comefortable lead at the break.
Crofton started the second half well & put pressure on the Warrington line. Sound defence kept them out & Warrignton twice scored from moves started from their own line with Robertson scoring her second try of the day & Postlethwaite completing her hat trick. Scrum Half Debbie Makin scored under the posts with a superb dancing solo effort, and Stand Off Terri Rome dummied her way through to the sticks with a fine solo try. Warrington's final score saw the ball go through 7 pairs of hands to centre Helen Rugg & score out wide and become Warringtons 7th try scorer of the day. Extras were converted by Terri Rome & Katie Hussey.
Warrington Ladies 18 - Castleford 16
The Wolves Ladies were always going to have their work cut out when travelling across the pennines to face a strong Castleford side who play a division above the Warrington team.
Despite loosing their influencial half back & kicker Dawn Eaton with a hamstring injury in the opening minutes, the Wolves pack dominated their opposition having crossed the line 3 times in the opening 10 minutes only to have each attempt rules out as held up. With 15 minutes passed the sustained pressure told when cool hands near the line saw full back Leonie Robertson cross the line. Ten minutes later good positioning from a scrum lead to powerful prop Nicollette Postlethwaite charged over, and with Terri Rome getting the extra two points, the Wolves looked comefortable.
Castleford however had other ideas and sustained pressure on the Warrington line saw them spin the ball through several hands and score an inconverted try in the corner. Just before half time a rare mistake from the ladies defence saw the Yorkshire team break the line and score under the posts. At half time the score was tied at 10 apiece.
In the second half the Warrington dominance continues & again the Wolves crossed the line on 3 occasions only to be held up by a Castleford defence that was skilled at getting numbers behind the ball. On the 50 minute mark, the pressure told again when Captain Terri Rome scored through a superb individual effort. Shortly after fullback Leonie Robertson got her second try of the day, again down to excellent ball handling. Warrington's defence was outstanding throughout the second half, however a succession of penalties helped castleford progress up the field and score a consolation try from les than 2 yards out in the dying moments.