Featherstone’s Millennium Stadium hosted the Girls’ National U14’s and U16’s Finals last Saturday (July 1) with a War of the Roses battle in both categories.
In the U14s Final, Leigh Miners Rangers became the first North West club to win a National title when they overcame Whinmoor Warriors.
Rangers got off to a flying start and scored from their first set through full back Niamh Riley and just five minutes later the side had scored their second - this time courtesy of Maddy Vaughan – and a successful conversion from Riley gave the side a comfortable a 10-point lead.
Whinmoor slowly began to settle into the game and show some of the quality they possess, but nothing could stop the athleticism of Riley, who crossed the whitewash once again to take the game 14-0. The Leeds side managed to give themselves a lifeline when their star player, Millie Sadler, scored a try out wide after outpacing the Leigh defence to make the scores 14 – 4 at half time.
The second half was a battle of the defences as both teams tried desperately to get the next score. Rangers eventually went on to clinch victory in the final minutes when Player of the Match, Vaughan, crashed over the line and another successful Riley conversion ended the score at 20 - 4.
The game was officiated by an all-female team which included Esmai Wright as Referee and Mia Murphy and Karla Carr on the touchlines.
The U16s Final was also contested by Leigh Miners Rangers who faced Dewsbury Moor and it was an absolute classic - the scores were tied at 16 apiece going into the last two minutes before Dewsbury’s Ruby Bruce flew over the whitewash to claim the winning try.
Bruce opened the scoring for Dewsbury before Rangers hit back through full back Jenna Foubister who also successfully converted. The hooker then scored her second of the game to regain the lead with Leigh immediately replying through Caitlin Maylor before Weronika Kuriata crossed for Dewsbury to make the half time score 12 – 10 in their favour.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first with the lead changing hands-on multiple occasions - Rangers scored first through Foubister who again converted her to make the score 16 – 12. With ten minutes to go, Bruce got her third try of the game to tie the scores at 16 all and just as it looked like the game was heading to extra time, and with seconds remaining on the clock, the hooker crossed from close range to seal a famous victory and claim the Player of the Match award.
The game was well refereed by Rhiannon Horsman who was well supported by Jack Woolass and Josh Davey on the touchlines.
Photo Credit - Macy McDermott
