Leeds Rhinos women picked up their second Betfred Super League title after beating York City Knights 12-4 at The Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens on Sunday afternoon.
Two tries from England outside-back Caitlin Beevers on either side of the break were enough to see the Rhinos women cap off another superb 2022 season for Lois Forsell's side. York dummy-half Sinead Peach tried her best to get the City Knights back into the contest with an outstanding individual effort. However, the Rhinos held on to record a famous victory, as the club are now embarking on what could be a historic week which has now been started off in the best possible way.
Early in the second half, there was a lengthy delay due to an injury sustained by Leeds' substitute Shannon Lacey, who eventually, after 10 minutes on the ground, was stretchered from the field with a brace on her right ankle, which has put the England forward's World Cup dream hanging by a thread.
After the game, here's everything Leeds head coach Lois Forsell and women of the match Caitlin Beevers said after the 12-4 victory.
Forsell
"We were under pressure from the start. We didn't help ourselves, but we knew the girls would stay connected. I'm so proud of them, I looked calm, but I wasn't even till the final minute. Shannon Lacey needs to go to the hospital, but she waited to get her medal. We did that for her. We've got so much character in this side, and I'm a new coach myself. For the girls to give me the time and respect means a lot. Let's hope the men's side do the same."
Beevers
"I'm hurting already, York are a great side, and they put us through our paces. it was a great game for women's rugby league, and they beat us earlier in the year. We've found a real togetherness in this side, and I honestly don't think any team can match us. The fact Shannon went off early so that win was for her. The women's game has come on leaps and bounds. I just hope girls watching can aspire to play rugby league. I hope I can represent England at the end of the season, and that's a huge goal for me, but today it's amazing to win for Leeds."
York City Knights: Tara-Jane Stanley, Georgia Taylor, Tamzin Renouf, Katie Langan, Kelsey Gentles, Georgie Hetherington, Olivia Gale, Elisa Akpa, Sinead Peach, Olivia Wood, Hollie Dodd, Savannah Andrade, Lacey Owen,
Bench: Jasmine Bell, Emma Kershaw, Matilda Butler, Leila Bessahli.
Tries: Peach
Conversions:
Leeds Rhinos: Fran Goldthorpe, Tara Moxon, Hanna Butcher, Caitlin Beevers, Sophie Robinson, Sam Hulme, Courtney Winfield-Hill, Dannielle Anderson, Keara Bennett, Emma Lumley, Sophie Nuttall, Lucy Murray, Zoe Hornby
Bench: Jasmine Earnshaw-Cudjoe, Shannon Lacey, Beth Lockwood, Chloe Kerrigan
Tries: Beevers X2
Conversions: Winfield-Hill 2/2
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