Barrow Raiders 0 Leeds Rhinos Women 78

By Sam Brocksom

Leeds Rhinos Women scored 15 tries without reply to defeat Barrow Raiders Ladies in a ruthless display.

Lucy Murray and Ebony Stead, who is now the league’s top try scorer, both crossed for hat-tricks as Lois Forsell’s side looks to build momentum as we head towards the final stages of the season.

Ruby Walker and Bella Sykes made their returns to he side, after missing the defeat to Wigan Warriors three weeks ago.

Whilst it took Leeds a little while to get started, the first two of Murray’s three tries broke the deadlock. Strong carries from the one of England’s newest international stars proved too much for the Raiders defence.

Leeds utilised their left edge well, with the first five tries all coming from that wing. Ebony Stead received a pass out the back, which created a gap for the full back to score. Ruby Walker added the first conversion of the game, after two misses from Mel Howard. After 25 minutes, Leeds led 0-14.

Evie Cousins and Liv Whitehead both crossed next, as smart passing from the Rhinos saw them both dive over in the corner. Walker was on target with the latter, increasing the lead to 24.

Shannon Brown’s 50m effort was the pick of the first half tries. Breaking the line on half way, the back rower ran the distance before touching down under the posts.

Stead’s second rounded off the first half scoring. Another set play saw the full back score her 14th of the season. Walker adds both kicks, making the half time scores 0-36.

Whitehead’s second, Izzy Northrop and Walker all crossed within the first 15 minutes of the first half. The winger opened the second stanza scoring, as they shifted the ball left to score. Northrop’s strength proved too strong as she carried multiple defenders over the line and Walker capitalised on Stead’s break, as she was in support to score. Two conversions from the three gave Leeds a 0-52 lead.

Stead’s kick was pounced on by Murray, who scooped the ball up to score. Shortly after, the game was forced to stop due to a serious injury to a Barrow player. After around 20 minutes, the Raiders player was able to walk off the field and the game continued.

Sophie Nuttall added a try on the right edge as Leeds once again used the edges well. That was followed by a magnificent hat-trick try by Stead, who chipped the ball over the top of the defence, before gathering the ball well, and diving under the sticks. Tally Bryer, now on kicking duties, added both goals.

The final two tries came from Ruby Bruce and a second for Cousins. Bryer, who moved to the halves in place of the injured Mel Howard, received an offload close to the line before sending Bruce over with a short ball.

Cousins then rounded off the afternoon’s scoring with her brace, Leeds again capitalising on the left.

Leeds: Ebony Stead, Liv Whitehead, Evie Cousins, Sophie Nuttall, Tally Bryer, Mel Howard, Ruby Walker, Kaiya Glynn, Ruby Bruce, Izzy Northrop, Shannon Brown, Lucy Murray, Bella Sykes.

Subs: Ella Donnelly, Connie Boyd, Frankie Blakey, Jess Sharp.

Tries: Murray x3, Stead x3, Cousins x2, Whitehead x2, Brown, Bruce, Northrop Nuttall, Walker

Goals: Howard 0/2, Walker 6/9, Bryer 3/4