The 2016 Women's RL State of Origin took place today (Sunday) at Stanningley SARLC, and Lancashire took the spoils with a dramatic 22-16 win, enjoying a 'double' as their Youth squad beat Yorkshire 14-10 in the curtain-raiser. Joe Neadley Reports...
Youth: Yorkshire Youth 10-14 Lancashire Youth
Origin kicked off with the under 18s match-up and Lancashire drew first blood in a hard-fought 14-10 win.
The match was deadlocked for the majority before the visitors settled things in the second half.
Yorkshire opened the scoring after Lancashire coughed up possession immediately from the kick off.
From the Echo Arena in Liverpool yesterday to @StanningleyRL today for live coverage of Yorkshire v Lancashire Women's #rugbyleague Origin pic.twitter.com/bOmJi6JkDF
— touchlinepics.com (@Touchlinepics) October 16, 2016
On the fifth tackle from the resulting scrum, Ellie Sutcliffe's cross-field kick was chased and grounded by fullback Kelsey Groves.
Lancashire did hit back after 20 minutes as Charlotte Hill finished off some swift handling, taking advantage of having a player extra following Katie Lyons' sin-binning for a professional foul.
Groves then notched up her second of the afternoon as Katie Whelan's pass sent the flying fullback clear before dotting behind the posts, with Whelan easily converting.
The visitors remained positive as hit back minutes before the break as Jade Ward burst onto a bullet pass from Rachael Porter to score.
Half time here at Stanningley in the youth match: Yorkshire 10-10 Lancashire #origin
— Women's Rugby League (@Womens_RL) October 16, 2016
Becky Greenfield converted to make it 10-all at half time.
The second half perhaps saw fatigue talk hold of both sides as the scoring was much more limited.
Lancashire however, possessed just enough fuel to clinch the deciding try in the bruising encounter.
Well done to the Lancashire U18's @Womens_RL victory over Yorkshire featuring @BethHarrris of @HornetsLadies#HornetsFamily#StingEmHornets
— Rochdale Hornets (@RochdaleHornets) October 16, 2016
Second rower Chloe Richardson grabbed the try after Greenfield’s final pass sent the forward rampaging through to score, though Greenfield was unable to convert.
Yorkshire attempted to steal the match back but Lancashire held on and recorded the win but credit where it is due, both sets of teams played their part in a tough match and deserve recognition.
Plenty of talent on show and bright futures lay ahead for them as their careers continue.
Yorkshire u18s girls lose out in a 10-14 thriller good game great spirit your all young players learn from experience @Womens_RL @WRLARUGBY pic.twitter.com/G1R29CnjVc
— Craig taylor (@Coach_craig40) October 16, 2016
Origin: Yorkshire 16-22 Lancashire
Game two of the War of the Roses saw another close encounter that went in favour of Lancashire.
Lancashire recorded a 2-0 whitewash on the day with a hard-earned 22-16 win, their second win in the third edition of this annual event.
After the two sides drew last year, Lancashire started superbly as they notched two tries within the opening 20 minutes.
Flyer Rachel Ogden scored both; her first saw her receive a cut-out pass from Rachael Thompson to score in the corner.
The second was slightly similar, only on this occasion, stand-off Sarah Harrison produced some superb blind side play to allow Ogden enough room for her second.
Harrison was unable to convert so the score remained at 8-0.
Excellent game of rugby on show as Lancashire Youth beat Yorkshire 14-10 at todays #rugbyleague @Womens_RL Origin Fixture at @StanningleyRL pic.twitter.com/RQCeoLTPDF
— touchlinepics.com (@Touchlinepics) October 16, 2016
Yorkshire attempted a fightback but Lancashire's last ditch defending kept their tryline intact.
Lancashire then hit double figures, following a repeat set via a penalty saw Thompson ghost through for her side’s third try.
However, just before half time, Yorkshire responded as Shannon Lacey powered over from five metres, with Katie Hepworth converting to leave the score at 12-6.
Who da winners ðŸ…🌹🉠#lancashire #winners #redrose pic.twitter.com/hq5CYGxMC5
— Rachel Thompson (@rachelthompson6) October 16, 2016
The hosts then cut the gap to just two points as Chloe Wainwright-Morley scored, though Hepworth's conversion was unsuccessful.
Lancashire then halted this charge put themselves in pole position with back-to-back tries.
Ogden completed her hat-trick after four repeat sets eventually paid off for the visitors before Sammi Simpson finished off a power-play to score in the corner.
A conversion from Thompson put Lancashire 22-10 ahead, but Yorkshire managed to set up a tense finish.
TRY! Yorkshire's kick off pays dividends as Katie hepworth scorches over on the third play
— Women's Rugby League (@Womens_RL) October 16, 2016
Hepworth regathered from a short kick off before scoring through the defence from 25 metres to score.
She successfully converted but it was too little too late as Lancashire held on for the win.
Another superb game of Rugby League and a fantastic advert for the sport.
And that's it!!! Cracking game between two counties. Full time: Yorkshire 16-22 Lancashire
— Women's Rugby League (@Womens_RL) October 16, 2016
