Wigan Warriors Women begin Challenge Cup defence with emphatic 15-try win
Wigan Warriors Women opened up their Challenge Cup defence with an emphatic 78-6 win on the road at Featherstone Rovers on Saturday afternoon.
Denis Betts’ side ran in seven first-half tries at the Millennium Stadium on Post Office Road through captain Georgia Wilson (2), Izzy Rowe, Anna Davies, Lucie Sams, Cerys Jones and Ellise Derbyshire.
Meanwhile, Featherstone crossed for their only try of the game in the first 40 through Alyssa Courtney, but the Warriors took a comfortable 34-6 lead into the half-time interval.
Wigan went on to score eight unanswered tries in the second half as England internationals Rowe and Davies completed hat-tricks and off-season signing Bethan Dainton went over for a try on her Wigan debut.
Sams got her second try of the afternoon in the second stanza, as did her back-row partner Jones. Ruby Hunter, who was playing in the centres, also got on the scoresheet.
Former England international Kelsey Gentles, who arrived at Wigan in the off-season following a stint with Huddersfield Giants, also made her official debut for the Cherry and Whites.
It was a strong start to the year for the Warriors, who will be aiming to build on a truly historic 2025 campaign, when Betts’ side claimed all four trophies on offer in the shape of the Challenge Cup, Nines title, League Leaders’ Shield and Super League Grand Final.
Featherstone: Angel Bentley; Beth Macmillan, Chloe Billington, Lydia Fawkes, Shavon Craven; Holly Waddington, Charley Blackburn; Gabby Harrison, Alyssa Courtney, Brogan Kennedy, Tilly Churm, Kacey Davies, Emillie Holmes. Subs: Katie Evans, Brogan Churm, Michaela Magonya, Sammy Watts.
Tries: Courtney | Goals: Waddington 1/1
Wigan: Georgia Wilson; Anna Davies, Ruby Hunter, Molly Jones, Ellise Derbyshire; Jenna Foubister, Izzy Rowe; Mary Coleman, Remi Wilton, Bathan Dainton, Lucie Sams, Cerys Jones, Megan Williams. Subs: Carys Marsh, Mia Atherton, Kelsey Gentles, Jade Gregory-Haselden. 18th woman: Elara Llewellyn-Sharrock.
Tries: Wilson (2), Rowe (3), Davies (3), Sams (2), C Jones (2), Derbyshire, R Hunter, Dainton | Goals: Rowe 8/14, Foubister 0/1
Next up for the Warriors Women is a home clash against Cardiff Demons in the Challenge Cup group stages at Edge Hall Road Community Stadium in Orrell on Saturday, April 11 – 2pm kick-off.