BWSL: Round 6 Round Up

Leeds Rhinos bounced back from their Betfred Challenge Cup final defeat by St Helens as they scored eight tries at Huddersfield to return to the top of the Betfred Women's Super League in Round 6.

The Rhinos needed a win by 29 points or more to reclaim first place from Wigan Warriors.

But, having beaten the Giants 66-4 in the season opener at AMT Headingley back in April, they had every reason to be confident. They were on their way in Sunday's West Yorkshire derby, with three tries in the first 17 minutes as early scores from Ella Donnelly and Amy Hardcastle in the corner were followed by a third from Zoe Hornby.

Izzy Northrop got the first of two tries against her old club on 27 minutes and, although Amelia Brown got one back, Sophie Robinson ran in Rhinos' fifth try, improved by the third successful kick out of five for Keara Bennett.

Two tries in as many second-half minutes from Elychia Watson and Shona Hoyle, stretched Leeds sufficiently clear to ensure they would end the day on top - and Northrop's second try, converted by Hanna Butcher, took them well out of sight.

Huddersfield remain second from bottom, having won once in six games this season, against pointless bottom club Featherstone Rovers a fortnight ago.

Anna Davies scored five tries as Wigan Warriors routed Barrow Raiders 46-6 - Davies scored a first-half hat-trick before adding two more in the second period, with her side's other tries coming from Grace Banks, Abbie Singleton, Kaitlin Hilton and Rease Casey.

Davies opened the scoring for Wigan after 15 minutes and Banks added their second two minutes later with Isobel Rowe converting both to make it 12-0.

Davies’ second came shortly after the half-hour when she crossed in the corner and she wrapped up her hat-trick with an interception before Rowe converted again to put the visitors 22-0 up at the break.

Wigan extended their lead within the opening minute of the second half when Singleton darted over from close range.

Barrow got on the scoresheet in the 55th minute when an Emma Hutchinson break led to Jodie Morley crashing over, with Jodie Litherland landing the extras to make it 28-6.

But Wigan responded strongly as Hilton crossed before Davies grabbed her fourth and fifth tries of the afternoon to stretch the lead.

And Featherstone came close to picking up their first win of the season before being denied by a Warrington second-half comeback.

Rovers took the lead in the eighth minute when Ella Johnson crossed in the corner before Grace Burnett levelled matters for Warrington ten minutes later.

The hosts regained the advantage when Ellie Lamb scored just short of the half-hour mark and they took a 10-4 lead into the break.

But Warrington moved back level with a converted try on 50 minutes and they took the lead for the first time with 12 minutes remaining when Samantha Simpson crossed and held on to pick up their third league win of the season.

Three away victories in Round 6 of the @Betfred Women's #SuperLeague ? pic.twitter.com/Hir20aUB25

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) June 16, 2024

Round 7 of the Betfred Women's Super League will kick off on Saturday 6 July when Leeds Rhinos host St Helens at AMT Headingley Stadium, and will be looking for revenge from June's Challenge Cup Final defeat (K.O. 12.30pm).

The full list of Betfred Women's Super League fixtures can be found here.