Leeds Rhinos power into Women's Challenge Cup semi-finals but injury mars reserves' win
Leeds Rhinos cruised into the Women’s Challenge Cup semi-finals, but the men’s reserves side suffered an injury blow in today’s double-header at AMT Headingley.
The women followed up their 82-0 and 72-0 wins against Leigh Leopards and London Broncos in the group stage with a 68-0 defeat of Cardiff Demons. Rhinos were 16-0 ahead after eight minutes following tries by Liv Whitehead, Ebony Stead and Mel Howard. Whitehead added a second, debutant Nicole Kennedy went over for a spectacular long-range touchdown and Lucy Murray and Ella Donnelly added to Leeds’ tally as they went in at the break 36-0 ahead.
Whitehead added two more tries in the second half and Howard, Tally Bryer, Ruby Enright, Stead and Ruby Bruce also crossed. Howard kicked five goals from 10 attempts and Bryer landed one from four.
Rhinos’ reserves 36-24 win against London Broncos in the first part of the double-header was marred by an injury to Oscar Brown. The highly-rated centre damaged a hamstring en-route to scoring his - and Rhinos’ second try - and was on crutches after the game.
Rhinos’ side included Ethan O’Neill, Presley Cassell, Tom Nicholson-Watton and Riley Lumb who were unused members of the 21-man squad for the previous night’s Betfred Super League win against Catalans Dragons. They led 26-6 at half-time through Brown’s brace plus touchdowns from Tom Richardson, Lumb and Nicholson Watton. Leeds added tries through Lumb and Harley Thomas - who finished with four goals - but the visitors had the better of the second period.