Sheffield Eagles completed a notable double, following up their League One success with a Grand Final victory.
Most of the damage was done in the first fifteen minutes when the Eagles sped into a 22-0 advantage thanks to four tries.
Eventual player of the match Agnes Wood grabbed the first from dummy-half after three minutes following an Illingworth error and was soon followed to the line by Cap Auger who scored a quick double after six and nine minutes. Dani Green converted all three and the Eagles looked set for a huge victory when Wood's startling 40-metre break was finished on the next play by Phoebe Evans and it was 22-0.
Illingworth gamely responded with Holly Waddington and Angel Bentley well to the fore and captain Gabbie Kaney and Julia Lowery impressing in the forwards.
The second half was a far more tense affair and Illingworth struck first through Kaney from Bentley's pass in the 47th minute. Reagan Walker goaled to make it 22-6, but later fell foul of referee Lewis O'Brien, sin-binned for an off-the-ball challenge after 62 minutes. Debbie Smith was also shown a yellow card eight minutes later for a foul in the tackle and Sheffield finally made their advantage count with their fifth and final try five minutes from time, when Green found a brilliant offload and Evans went over for her second try to secure the 26-6 win.
SHEFFIELD EAGLES 26
ILLINGWORTH 6
SHEFFIELD EAGLES
Dani Green, Ellie Tiffin, Claire Fisher, Phoebe Evans, Tori Thomas; Lisa Parker, Sarah Palmer' Cap Auger, Agnes Wood, Jessica Sayles, Simone Saunders, Beth Arnold, Pete Lendon. Subs (All Used) Molly Haglington, Olivia Mulvey, Jenny Crofts Helen Teasdale, Aiden Cottrell-Callbeck, Tayler Coates, Nell Colclough.
Tries: Wood, Auger 2, Evans 2
Goals: Green 3
ILLINGWORTH
Holly Waddington, Tira Murray, Lillebelle Hunter, Charlotte McCauliffe, Niamh Cresswell; Summa Hunter, Angel Bentley; Sienna McPherson, Jess Oldroyd, Debbie Smith, Emily Mawdsley, Gabbie Kaney, Reagan Walker. Subs (All Used) Mary McDermott, Briony Crashaw, Maia Takiko, Codie Waller, Julia Lowery, Hollie Kirby, Lizzy Stubley.
Try: Kaney.
Goal: Walker 1
Half-time: 22-0.
Referee: Lewis O'Brien.
It was Oulton Raidettes that lifted the Championship title at Odsal following a pulsating second half and all-round performance from stand-off Caitlin Casey.
The England Student international was in fine form as the Raidettes overcame a 14-10 half-time deficit to overwhelm the Red Devils in the second half.
Early on it was all Salford and they claimed well-taken tries in the first ten minutes from Sade Rihari and Lauren Ellison. The first came after an Oulton error from a scrum while the second was a great piece of execution with the ball passing through five pairs of hands. Demi-Lea Jones converted the first score and the Red Devils led 10-0 in as many minutes.
Oulton hit back after 21 minutes when an inviting kick from Casey was touched down by Dani Rose. Casey goaled to make it 10-6. Oulton then scored a second try to lock the scores up after 34 minutes as Casey and Emily Fitzpatrick linked on the right and Lisa Taylor spun in.
Just as the half-time hooter sounded Salford took possession from a scrum and an excellent kick from Louise Fellingham was chased down by Alexandra Simpson for her 15th try of the season, which handed them a 14-10 advantage.
The first ten minutes of the second half was scrappy but as the teams settled down again it was Oulton that took control. First Taylor glided through for her second to level at 14-14 in the 54th minute, then two minutes later a brilliant show and go from Casey took her to the line from 35 metres and Taylor's goal opened a six-point advantage.
Oulton were in the groove now and when another break came down the right Taylor unselfishly handed the ball inside for Rose to claim her second. Once again Taylor converted and was on target again in the 75th minute after Casey's measured kick was touched down by Kiah Holmes after Taylor and Jones collided in pursuit.
Then in the final minutes, Casey made sure of victory with a drop goal to ensure the 33-14 win and a piece of Odsal history.
SALFORD RED DEVILS 14
OULTON RAIDETTES 33
SALFORD RED DEVILS:
Alexandra Simpson, Lauren Ellison, Sade Rihari, Brogan Evans, Steph Gray; Louise Fellingham, Demi-Lea Jones; Sarina Tamou, Tamzin Corcoran, Yasmin Parton Sotomayor, Helena Walker, Vicki Kini, Megan Condliffe. Subs (All Used): Darcey Price, Hannah Wickes, Casey Naylor, Abi Collins, Epi Fletcher.
Tries: Rihari, Ellison, Simpson.
Goals: Jones 1
OULTON RAIDETTES:
Dani Rose, Sophie Oram, Ellie Johnson, Lisa Taylor, Lara Dalby; Caitlin Casey, Keira Gittins; Ellie Mae Wainhouse, Leah McFarlane, Kaitlyn-Jade Wilkinson, Vanessa Harriman, Alice Abbiss, Emily Fitzpatrick.
Subs (All Used): Kelly Aitken, Abby Briggs, Kiah Holmes, Darcy Westwood, Abigal Birtwhistle.
Tries: Rose 2, Taylor 2, Casey, Holmes.
Goals: Casey 1 + 1 FG, Taylor 3
Half-time 14-10.Referee: Danny Tindall.
Photo taken by Stephen Gaunt/Touchlinepics.com
