Leeds Rhinos Women 20 St Helens Women 22

By Sam Brocksom

Leeds Rhinos Women lost out in agonising fashion as a late try from former Rhino Caitin Casey gave St Helens women a late victory at AMT Headingley.

The Rhinos would come back from 16-4 down to lead with ten minutes to go, before a high bomb caused confusion and allowed the Challenge Cup Finalists to score.

Lois Forsell made three changes to the side that faced Leigh two weeks ago, as Tally Bryer, Lucy Murray and Grace Field all returned from injury in place of Keara Bennett, Grace Short and Sophie Nuttall.

As always when these sides match up, the opening quarter was a fierce battle, as some of the best talents in the Women’s Super League went head-to-head.

There were plenty of opportunities to score, but defence remained on top in the early stages. Both sides held each other up over the line on multiple occasions.

The Rhinos opened the scoring on 20 minutes. Bethan Dainton made an incredible break before being stopped 5m from the line by Beri Salihi. However, Leeds were able to capitalise as they spread the ball cross-field to allow Tally Bryer to cross for her first league try of the season. Mel Howard was unable to add the sideline conversion.

Saints quickly responded, however, with Saints’ experienced heads guiding them to the line. Jodie Cunningham’s kick took a wicked bounce of the post padding, and Faye Gaskin was first to react to the bouncing ball. Referee Freddie Lincoln went upstairs to video referee Tara Jones, and after review, the try was awarded. She converted her own try to give Saints a 6-4 lead.

Gaskin then added her second try shortly after. The halfback was able to fool the Rhinos defence with a dummy, thus creating a gap to allow her to dive over. Her second attempt at goal was also on target, increasing the gap to eight points.

The first half saw injuries to key players for both sides. Saints’ Zoe Harris was helped from the field after half an hour before Ruby Walker left the pitch with two minutes from the break. At the interval, Saints led 12-4.

The visitors couldn’t have asked for a better start to the second half. On the opening set, aA unforced error from Leeds allowed Saints good field position. They used the blind side well and exploited an overlap to allow Dani McGifford to score in the corner. Gaskin couldn’t add the extras from the touchline.

The Rhinos managed to find some momentum, with a couple of players going close. Leeds put themselves right back in the mix with two tries in as many minutes from skipper Howard. Her eighth and ninth of the year proved crucial to Leeds getting back into the game. On both occasions she took the ball to the line and managed to evade the defence to cross. The conversion for the first try hit the post, before Bryer added the second to put Leeds two points behind with 20 to go.

Leeds would take the lead with 13 minutes left on the clock. Ruby Bruce barged her way over from dummy half, taking three Saints players with her over the line. Howard, back on kicking duties, managed to add the extras and give Leeds a 20-16 lead.

Howard had an opportunity to increase the lead, as Leeds were awarded a penalty goal for a high tackle. However, the attempt was missed.

With less than a minute on the clock, Gaskin’s kick was not dealt with by Liv Whitehead, as she struggled to see with the beaming sun in her eyes.  Saints gathered and the ball was shifted to former Rhinos player Caitlin Casey, who dived over in the corner to level the score.

Gaskin’s conversion attempt would be the final play of the game, and the kick was on target, meaning Saints went home with the two points.

Leeds: Stead, Bryer, Dainton, Cousins, Whitehead, Howard, Northrop, Bruce, Donnelly, Murray, Brown, Sykes. Subs: Glynn, Field, Boyd, Blakey.

Tries: Howard x2, Bryer, Bruce.
Goals: Howard 1/4, Bryer 1/1