Lancashire claimed a 2-0 victory in the Pre-Season Women’s Origin Series as eight Saints helped them run out 23-0 winners in a dominant display against Yorkshire in game three at Weetwood, Leeds.
After losing the opening game 15-8 last weekend, Yorkshire had maintained hope of squaring the series when they snatched a draw in game two at Mount Pleasant in midweek.
But Lancashire produced the most emphatic performance of the series, which was organised with a specific focus on preparing for next year’s World Cup, with five different try-scorers split between St Helens and Wigan – Naomi Williams, Leah Burke, Chantelle Crowl, Georgia Wilson and Vicky Molyneux.
Wilson, whose previously little-known goal kicking ability has been one of the features of the series, also added a conversion alongside a goal apiece from Tara Stanley and Saints’ Zoe Harris.
It took just seven minutes for Lancashire to open the scoring as St.Helens centre Williams found space on the left-hand flank and was too quick for the chasing Yorkshire defence.
Lancashire soon doubled their lead as Jodie Cunningham and Stanley linked up well before the latter pulled off a fantastic overhead pass to put Burke over in the corner.
Stanley would also be the provider for Lancashire’s third with a clever kick to the corner which Wigan’s Wilson latched onto.
Yorkshire managed some sustained pressure before the interval but couldn’t find their way over the line with Tamzin Renouf being pushed into touch and Caitlin Beevers denied by an excellent last-ditch tackle by Crowl.
Lancashire’s dominance continued after the break as Molyneux and Crowl both powered over in quick succession.
Stanley, Wilson and Harris’s conversions, worth one point each under the modified rules that have been played throughout the series – and also included 30-minute halves and only three interchange players per team – completed Lancashire’s 23-point margin.
Yorkshire were helped by late Wakefield Trinity additions Aallisha Rhodes and Tara Moxon while the British Army’s Carrie Roberts was once again impressive for Lancashire.
Match Summary
Yorkshire: Caitlin Beevers, Kelsey Gentles, Tamzin Renouf, Chloe Kerrigan, Fran Goldthorp; Jasmine Cudjoe, Georgia Roche, Dannielle Anderson, Sinead Peach, Shona Hoyle, Hollie Dodd, Aimee Staveley, Lacey Owen.
Interchanges: Aallisha Rhodes, Grace Field, Tara Moxon.
Lancashire: Tara Stanley, Georgia Wilson, Naomi Williams, Carrie Roberts, Leah Burke; Zoe Harris, Jodie Cunningham, Amy Johnson, Tara Jones, Kiera McIntosh, Chantelle Crowl, Paige Travis, Vicky Whitfield.
Interchanges: Samantha Simpson, Lizzie Gladman, Abigail Eatock.
Lancashire Tries: Williams (7’), Burke (10’), Wilson (16’), Molyneux (40’), Crowl (48’).
Goals: Wilson, Stanley, Harris.
