The Girl’s 2023 RL Finals Day took place last Saturday, with the stars of the future displaying some fantastic Rugby League and what a brilliant day it was.
2023 has been a breakthrough year for the girl’s game with England Women’s run to the semi-finals of last autumn’s Rugby League World Cup inspiring record numbers of young players to get involved. This year alone, more than 130 teams from 57 clubs have taken part with 450 new girls picking up a ball.
On Saturday, the Under 13’s Final was won by Rochdale Mayfield, who overcame Drighlington 12 – 4. Rochdale’s tries were scored by Player of the Match Abbey Buckley, J Mooney and Millie Bowden with Lottie Johnson scoring for Drighlington.
In the Under 14’s category, Leigh Miners Rangers took a shock lead when Madison Vaughan scored a 50-meter wonder try which Niamh Riley converted. Dewsbury hit back to level the score at half time through Grace Larvin who inspired a strong second half performance. Her hat trick eventually set up a 22-6 victory for Dewsbury.
Bronte Barbarians became the inaugural U15 Cup Winners in their 28-10 defeat of Halton Farnworth Hornets. The Hornets deserve huge credit and got their reward with the final try of the game. Ava Whiteley scored a hattrick for Bronte, Player of the Match Eva Green, and Niamh Dawson also crossed the whitewash and Lexie Hagues converted two. For Halton Mia Drescher and Ana Liku scored, Drescher converted her own try, whilst scrum half Lyla Finch never stopped probing.
The final game of the day was a classic with the lead changing hands three times in the final five minutes. Oulton Raidettes finally came out on top 24-20 when full back Ebony Stead scored the winning try in the dying seconds of the game. Dewsbury Moor had led 18-8 at the break thanks to a Ruby Bruce hat trick and three conversions from Ruby Walker, with Oultons first points coming through tries from Summer Goodway and Connie Boyd. The Raidettes second half comeback saw Isabelle Swallow and Boyd cross the whitewash alongside the match winning score from Stead with Boyd awarded Player of the Match.
In another first, each fixture was officiated by an all-female team of match officials, and they all did a fantastic job of keeping the games flowing.
