Wigan Warriors Women 18 Leeds Rhinos Women 10

By Sam Brocksom

Leeds Rhinos Women suffered an 18-10 defeat to reigning Champions Wigan Warriors in the opening round of the Betfred Women's Super League Season.

Leeds were kept scoreless in the first half, but it was a spirited effort from the travelling side, who lost three forwards to injury for the majority of the game. Shannon Brown, Lois Naidole and Lucy Murray were being forced off through injury, with only Brown returning for the final 10 minutes.

Lois Forsell made a number of changes to her side following last week's Challenge Cup Semi-Final defeat. Tally Bryer started in the halves alongside Mel Howard, with Ruby Walker dropping out. Grace Field also made a return, with Jess Sharp dropping out.

With conditions far from ideal, both sides made some mistakes with the ball meaning neither team could find any momentum.

Home side Wigan scored twice in the first 40, with the first coming from Cerys Jones. The back rower was first to react to an Anna Davies knock-back, after an Izzy Rowe kick caused plenty of problems.

Davies then turned from assister to scorer, as she dotted down for her eighth of the season. Being in support of a Beri Salihi break, the England international finished the move in the right corner.

Rowe couldn't convert either try, giving last year's Champions an 8-0 lead at the break.

The Warriors were first on the scoreboard in the second half, taking just three minutes to dot down via Eva Hunter. The reigning Woman of Steel crossed for a trademark try, being too strong from close range.

Elise Derbyshire's try took Wigan's advantage to 18 points, scoring after a break down the left flank.

Leeds got their first points on the board just before the hour mark, with Ebony Stead finishing off a move down the blind side. Mel Howard couldn't convert, leaving the deficit at 14 points.

Fatigue truly took it's toll on the Rhinos, with their lack of forward options on the bench hampering their go-forward. The away side did manage to get one more try through Howard, who took the line on herself before reaching out to score, but it wouldn't be enough as Leeds lost out 18-10.

Leeds: Enright, Stead, Boyd, Kennedy, Whitehead, Howard, Bryer, Glynn, Bennett, Brown, Murray, Naidole, Donnelly
Bench: Bruce, Short, Owen, Field

Tries: Stead, Howard
Goals: Howard 0/1, Bryer 1/1