Wigan Warriors lifted their first trophy since 2018 on Sunday (28 July) following a string of sensational performances at Women’s Nines Finals Day at Sewell Group Craven Park.
The likes of Mary Coleman, Grace Banks, Eva Hunter and Isabel Rowe were outstanding throughout, as the Warriors avenged last year’s 21-8 loss to Leeds Rhinos with an outstanding victory against their Super League rivals in Hull.
After easing through the group stages, including defeats of York Valkyrie and Huddersfield Giants, the Cherry and White then saw off Cardiff Demons 40-0 in the knockouts to set up a rematch against the Rhinos.
It was an end-to-end contest throughout much of the first half with the deadlock eventually broken on seven minutes - a clever offload from Mary Coleman set Eva Hunter free on the right to make it 4-0 going into the break.
Wigan got off to a flying start at the restart with Banks making an explosive run and weaving her way through the Leeds defence to make it 8-0 and from there the Warriors didn’t look like stopping. Coleman, Banks and Davies all went on to cross the whitewash in the second half with the game eventually ending 21-0 in the Warriors favour.
The Rhinos began their day with a 12-4 defeat of St Helens before an emphatic 23-0 win against Cardiff which featured tries from Izzy Northrop, Ella Donnelly and Ebony Stead. Those results saw them top Group A to set up a semi-final against Huddersfield Giants - who they successfully overcame 12-0.
The Demons arguably caused the upset of the day when they produced a stunning victory against St Helens to deny Matty Smith’ side a place in the knockouts. Leanne Burnell was the standout with her pace outwitting the Saints defence on four separate occasions and the Welsh side eventually recording a 17-9 win.
Women’s Nines Finals Day results:
Group A
Leeds Rhinos 12 St Helens 4
Cardiff Demons 0 Leeds Rhinos 23
St Helens 9 Cardiff Demons 17
Group B
York Valkyrie 8 Huddersfield Giants 17
Wigan Warriors 26 York Valkyrie 8
Huddersfield Giants 0 Wigan Warriors 31
Semi-Finals
Wigan Warriors 40 Cardiff Demons 0
Huddersfield Giants 0 Leeds Rhinos 12
Final
Leeds Rhinos 0 Wigan Warriors 21
