2 Oct 2016

Thatto Heath are Women's RL champions!

Another great Women's RL Finals day!

Thatto Heath completed a remarkable season unbeaten as they strode past Bradford Bulls 36-8 to win the 2016 Women's RL Grand Final at Widnes Vikings' Select Security Stadium on Saturday.

They were the headline act in an enthralling Finals Day, where Leigh Miners Rangers also overcame Oulton Raidettes to claim the Division 1 crown.

Leanne Johnson opened the scoring early on for Miners, going over out wide…

#WomensRL

Try time ðŸ‘ pic.twitter.com/H2hdMCUdAf
— The RFL (@TheRFL) October 1, 2016

That was the only score of a tight first quarter, before Emily Mullen improved Nichole Postlethwaite's powerful effort…

#WomensRL

She powers over ðŸ’ª pic.twitter.com/X5eYjRUEC6
— The RFL (@TheRFL) October 1, 2016

That put Miners 10-0 up, but the Raidettes finally replied shortly after, as Victoria Pinks stepped her way over for the final score of the half.

#WomensRL

ðŸ‘ŠðŸŽ‰ pic.twitter.com/nwcWv3ptYz
— The RFL (@TheRFL) October 1, 2016

The Raidettes' momentum then continued after the break as Reagen Walker pounced on a kick out wide to make it a two-point game.

However, Rangers did manage to get back on top, with loose forward Mairead Quinn forcing her way over from five metres out.

#WomensRL

ðŸ‘ pic.twitter.com/nlOrcCrhuv
— The RFL (@TheRFL) October 1, 2016

Mullen added her second goal of the game to put Miners eight points ahead.

Then the impressive Georgia Sutherland all-but wrapped up the title for Miners, as she produced an unstoppable charge for the line.

#WomensRL

Unstoppable ðŸƒðŸ‘Š pic.twitter.com/xQIVigSYXw
— The RFL (@TheRFL) October 1, 2016

Oulton rallied late on as Danielle Anderson went in, but Miners held firm to claim the first silverware of the day.

#WomensRL

Congratulations @leighminersrl, 2016 @Womens_RL Division 1 champions! pic.twitter.com/Tv1IsxhovS
— The RFL (@TheRFL) October 1, 2016

Attention then turned to the 2016 Women’s RL Grand Final, as Thatto Heath put their unbeaten record on the line against Bradford Bulls.

#WomensRL

Here come your 2016 @Womens_RL Grand Final teams! ðŸ‘ pic.twitter.com/bkHiFFTAnU
— The RFL (@TheRFL) October 1, 2016

Thatto enjoyed a perfect start, as Tara Stanley got on the end of a slick right-to-left move to score on the first set of the game.

The reigning champions were flying, and doubled their lead soon after, as Jodie Cunningham sliced her way over…

#WomensRL

ðŸ’ªðŸ‰ðŸ‘ pic.twitter.com/7WBQqbPfHR
— The RFL (@TheRFL) October 1, 2016

Stanley added the extras to put the St Helens side 10-0 up, but the Bulls managed to hit back on the half hour mark as forward Lauren Hickey twisted and turned her way to the line.

Despite Bradford's best efforts, Thatto did manage a further first-half try as Roxy Mura used her sheer strength to go over…

#WomensRL

ðŸ‘Š pic.twitter.com/T5bnL6pEoO
— The RFL (@TheRFL) October 1, 2016

Stanley converted and Thatto led 16-4 at half time.

Then, Emily Rudge's try ensured a perfect start to the second period for Thatto Heath, before Stanley added the extras from the touchline to put them 18 points up.

#WomensRL

... and Tara Stanley converts from the touchline... just!

Thatto 22-4 Bulls pic.twitter.com/WlZtUJvwNT
— The RFL (@TheRFL) October 1, 2016

Though Amy Hardcastle bagged Bradford's second try of the game on the hour, Roxy Mura turned on the style to finish off any chances of a comeback.

Within a minute, the reigning champions had restored their lead as Mura, partner of Salford Red Devils Star Ben Murdoch-Masila, smashed through a gap before laying the ball off to Faye Gaskin in support. Stanley added the two.

#WomensRL

ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ pic.twitter.com/JAfkmUacO0
— The RFL (@TheRFL) October 1, 2016

With the minutes counting down to full time, Thatto still had time for two more tries as Chantelle Crowl dived over out wide, before Mura set up Gaskin in a carbon copy of the halfback's try just ten minutes earlier to round off a stunning afternoon for Thatto Heath.