Leeds Rhinos Women battled hard to come away with the win against Wigan Warriors to ensure they will finish either second or third in the Betfred Women’s Super League, with Leeds fans having to wait until the result of the York and Featherstone game on Sunday to know their final position.

In a scrappy game that saw a number of errors from both sides it was Leeds that came out on top, scoring five tries to one.

Leeds dominated early possession with two early mistakes from the hosts resulting in them being pinned into their own half.  The Rhinos though were unable to make the most of their chances, with Wigan showing their strength in defence. 

Early pressure saw the visitors spread the ball to the left, but Sophie Robinson was tackled short and then Liv Whitehead was unable to collect the ball in dangerous territory.

A dropped ball from Hanna Butcher allowed Wigan to kick ahead to put the ball in the Leeds half for the first time, but they couldn’t collect the ball and Leeds scooped up the ball to get back in the attack.

Wigan recovered to stop the threat of Ebony Stead on the wing who they drove into touch.  Leeds kept up the pressure though and a great break from Ella Donnelly, looked like it was going to break the deadlock but scrambling Wigan defence from Anna Davies and Grace Banks stopped the prop short of the line.  On the next play the Rhinos made no mistake and Caitlin Casey showed her strength to stretch out for the opening try.  Bennett missing the conversion.

On 12 minutes Wigan were denied a try when a kick from Isabel Rowe landed in the hands of Georgia Wilson who dived across the line, but the referee ruled that the ball was out of play before it had been grounded.  Davies then made a brilliant break from her own half but it was matched by a superb tackle from Evie Cousins to halt her run for the line.

The Warriors were rewarded for their efforts when they made the most of a Leeds penalty for offside.  Wigan played the ball out wide to Davies who was able to get passed Casey to dive in at the corner.  The conversion attempt from Rowe hitting the posts.

Jenna Foubister then looked to capitalise on this score with a strong run, but a huge tackle from Bethan Dainton saw off the danger.

A powerful run from Shona Hoyle was stopped a metre out, but in the next play Leeds were able to score after a gap in the Wigan defence opened up for Keara Bennett to show some great footwork to change directions and race through.

Leeds kept chipping away at Wigan as the half neared the end, but it looked like they were never going to apply that killer blow.  With a minute to go though a brilliant tackle from Ebony Stead brought Grace Banks down on her own try line and when the ball came loose, Sophie Robinson was quickest to react and stretch out to get her hand on the ball.  The referee sent the try to the video referee who awarded the Rhinos their third try.  Bennett though was unable to convert.

Leeds’ defence was put to the test early in the second half, pushing Molly Jones into touch as she eyed the tryline and then Vicky Molyneux was brought by another big tackle.  The Wigan defence also looked strong as they drove Sophie Robinson and Olivia Whitehead into touch.

On 55 minutes a cross field kick from Caitlin Casey was knocked into the hands of Amy Hardcastle and the England centre stepped round to get the try.  Whitehead landing the conversion.

A penalty for the Warriors for offside allowed Leeds to shift the ball wide, Ebony Stead and Hanna Butcher with quick hands to send Sophie Robinson away for her second.

The Warriors did not let their heads go down as they tried to create a second try and Ellise Derbyshire came close in the corner and then Molly Jones was brought to ground in the final minutes of the game.

Both teams have now qualified for the play offs, with Wigan’s place confirmed as fourth and the Rhinos hoping they have done enough to earn a home play off tie.