report Greg Nixon Photos MKS Photography
MICHELLE Davis ran in four tries and kicked 10 conversions as Warrington Wolves women put Castleford to the sword at the Mend-a-Hose Jungle.
The Wire racked up 13 tries in a dominant performance to win 72-0 in their first game in Group D of this year’s BetFred Challenge Cup.
The writing was on the wall for the Tigers as early as the first minute when centre Samantha Simpson took advantage of some weak tackling to scythe through the home defence, with Davis adding the extras.
In an error-strewn half, both teams were guilty of coughing up position or giving away needless penalties in promising positions, but it was the strong running of Wire second rower Kacey Hayley that led to Davis’s first try on nine minutes, as the stand-off went on a mazy run from the half way line to score and then convert for a 12-0 lead.
Davis would go on to complete a first-half hat-trick in a 40-minute spell that was dominated by Wire but could have seen even more points had they controlled the ball a little better.
Prop Georgia Westwood opened her account for the season, barging over from short range, and substitute forward Claire Mullaney scored with her first touch of the ball on the 27 minute mark.
Georgia Sutherland grew into the game with some powerful runs down the left late in the first half, with one of them leading to Davis’s third try to make it 36-0 at half time.
The second half was as one-sided as the first, with Warrington controlling the pace of the game and showing a steel in defence that saw Castleford rarely threaten.
Any hopes of a fight back by the home team were dashed early on when Mullaney danced over the line for her second after Warrington were awarded a penalty for a high shot, and the scoring didn’t stop there with Davis going in for her fourth two minutes later.
Simpson grabbed her second to capitalise on more Castleford ill-discipline to make it 50-0 in the 50th minute, with young full-back Shannon Stephens racing in for her first of the season after another barnstorming run from Hayley had gained good field position.
There was still time for a brace from strong running winger Georgia Sutherland and one from Katie Williams before the referee called time on what was an impressive opening tilt at the chance of appearing at Wembley in August.
Warrington Women’s Super League head coach Lee Westwood said: “We were guilty of doing too much in the first half and overplayed a little.
“But in the second half, we stuck to the game plan and played some great rugby.
“The most pleasing thing was that we kept them to nil with some great defence.”
Mullaney scores
Warrington:
18 Shannon Stephens FB
2 Abigail Johnston W
5 Samantha Simpson C
4 Emily Baggaley C
21 Georgia Sutherland W
1. Michelle Davies SO
7 Charlize Magraw SH
8 Armani Sharrock P
14 Grace Ramsden H
21 Georgia Westwood P
11 Katie May Williams SR
12 Kacy Hayley SR
15 Emily Downes LF
Subs
22 Claire Mullaney
17 Lauren Roberts
24 Abigail Latchford
20 Ellie Jelves
19 Keira McCosh
26 Amy Boardman
Claire Mullaney crosses for her second try as Wire beat Castleford 72-0 in the Betfred Women's Challenge Cup
Pics: MKS Photography pic.twitter.com/9rFRIcKuuz— Warrington Wolves Women’s Rugby League (@warrwolveswomen) April 23, 2023
