Leeds Rhinos Women 110 Warrington Wolves Women 0

By Sam Brocksom

Leeds Rhinos Women have broken the Women’s Super League record for the largest ever victory after a 110-0 win over Warrington Wolves Women.

Three players scored hat-tricks, with a further three crossing for try doubles.  The result is the Rhinos first win of the league campaign, after defeats to York Valkyrie and Wigan Warriors, as well as a draw with St Helens.

England international Izzy Northrop opened the scoring, as the prop evaded two defenders before charging over the Warrington fullback to touch down. Evie Cousins then crossed for Leeds, as the ball was spread to the right edge where the centre found space to race away.

The returning Ebony Stead crossed next, as she utilised an overlap to break free and score. That was followed by an audacious 40m try from prop Ella Donnelly. After 15 minutes, Leeds led 24-0

Bethan Dainton then crossed between the sticks, before Cousins added her second of the afternoon. The 19-year-old received the ball with little room, but managed to race down the touchline before cutting inside to score, easing the conversion for Mel Howard. That gave Leeds a 36-0 advantage.

Northrop and Stead both got their try doubles either side of the half hour mark. First, Northrop proved too strong for the Wolves defenders so close to the line as she powered over. That was followed by a sensational score from Stead, who broke free from the defensive line and raced 80 metres to score, resulting a huge cheer from the AMT Headingley crowd.

Sophie Nuttall rounded off the first half scoring. The ball was spread left to the centre, who had too much pace and rounded the Wolves winger to score. Howard went nine from nine in the first half from the boot, meaning at half time the score was 54-0 to Lois Forsell’s side.

Hat-trick tries from Cousins and Stead kicked off the second half. The latter caught Tally Bryer’s kick before evading multiple defenders to score. After 50 minutes, Leeds led 64-0.

Lucy Murray and Ruby Bruce both crossed on the left edge, before another great try from Donnelly increased the score to 80-0. Donnelly again went from long-range to score her second.

Liv Whitehead and Shannon Brown added their names to the scoreboard, with a fourth for Stead sandwiched in between. Brown’s try was the pick of the three, as Leeds broke downfield through Connie Boyd. The youngster got tackled 20m out, but a quick play the ball allowed Brown to capitalise on an unset Wolves defence. With eight minutes to go, Leeds led 94-0.

With a league and club record in sight, the Rhinos were hungry for more tries. Lucy Murray added her second of the afternoon before Ruby Walker’s conversion gave Leeds the century.

Then, with five minutes left on the clock, two tries in as many minutes from Nuttall equalled, and then broke, the record of the Women’s Super League largest ever victory, giving Leeds an emphatic 110-0 win.

Leeds: Stead, Whitehead, Cousins, Nuttall, Bryer, Howard, Walker, Northrop, Bennett, Donnelly, Murray, Brown, Dainton. Subs: Bruce, Glynn, Short, Boyd.

Tries: Stead x4, Nuttall x3, Cousins x3, Northrop x2, Donnelly x2, Murray x2, Brown, Whitehead, Dainton, Bruce.

Goals: Howard 12/16, Walker 3 / 4