St Helens Women 18 Leeds Rhinos Women 20

Leeds Rhinos Women snatched a late win in another epic game against St Helens Women at the Totally Wicked Stadium.  After going 14-0 down in the first half, Lois Forsell's side showed a never say die attitude to fight to the very end to earn a well deserved win - their first over St Helens since 2019. First twenty minutes St Helens looked in control and made their possession count by three unanswered tries.  Leeds were their own worst enemies in this period, missing 21 tackles in first twenty minutes to allow the hosts to take the comfortable lead. St Helens took the lead after three minutes when Beth Stott got a short pass away to Cunningham on the near side and the Saints captain dived over in the corner to put them 4-0 ahead.  Stott unable to add the conversion. On 18 minutes Saints were in again.  Zoe Harris, who had been a threat in the opening stages, finally got over when she combined with Vicky Whitfield before dummying and holding off Elle Frain to go over for St Helens’ second try of the games. In next set Saints were able to extend their lead after the ball was spread out left to Amy Hardcastle who showed her pace to race up field and hold off her defenders to go under the posts.  This time Zoe Harris stepped up to take the kick and was on target to make it 14-0. Despite the poor start for the Rhinos, the visitors showed they had plenty of fight left in them and when they were awarded a penalty in the 25^th they made it count.  After some strong carries from the forwards got Leeds into a strong attacking position, Winfield-Hill set up Caitlin Beevers for a try from close range.  The Rhinos captain then slotted over the conversion. On 32 minutes later Leeds were in again.  Leeds earned a repeat set of six close to the Saints line, after good work from Winfield-Hill who collected a rebound from her own kick.  Earnshaw-Cudjoe, who had come on from the bench then made her mark when she found way over from acting half.   Winfield-Hill’s conversion attempt was wide, but Leeds went in at the second half on a high and just four points behind. Leeds took little time to bring the game level in the second half.  Georgia Roche with a long pass to Winfield-Hill who fed the ball to Goldthorp and the full back was able to hold off two defenders to race through to make it 14-14.  Winfield-Hill’s conversion attempt just going wide. On 47 minutes Chloe Kerrigan was forced back and in trying to get the ball away in the tackle the ball was knocked on and St Helens were awarded a full set of six twenty metres from the line, but the homeside were unable to make the most of their possession in this dangerous territory and knocked on to put Leeds were back on the attack. A powerful run from Chantelle Crowl put St Helens on the front foot for their next try and Tara Jones was able to find space to get over from dummyhalf on 61 minutes.  Harris could not add the extras so the score remained 18-14. St Helens twice had chance to extend their lead but were twice denied.  Some impressive Leeds defence stopped two certain tries, first up Eboni Partington was stopped short and the video ref ruled double movement in her efforts to score.  Next up, scrambling defence saw Paige Travis denied with Winfield getting her leg under the ball to prevent her from scoring. Leeds were dealt a blow when Georgia Roche had to go off for assessment after a head clash, but the visitors dug deep to set up a memorable finish.  With just two minutes to go Leeds had one final shot at getting the win and on the fourth tackle, Winfield-Hill instructed her team to get the ball to her.  The England international then kicked ahead and it looked like St Helens would scoop up the ball, but Goldthorp was in the right place and kicked ahead before chasing the ball down and then spinning her way through the St Helens defence to the ball down next to the posts.  Winfield-Hill then calmly stepped up to slot over the ball to claim the unforgettable win.