Huddersfield win Women’s Super League Shield final

James Gordon
Huddersfield win 2021 Women's Super League Shield

Huddersfield Giants became the first winners of the Women’s Super League Shield, beating Featherstone 24-22 at Headingley.

In the first season of the new format in the women’s game, the bottom five sides at the midway point of the season split off into a separate competition.

Featherstone topped that table with four wins from four, but they were pipped to the trophy on the day by the Giants.

Francesca Townend’s converted try put Huddersfield in front after eight minutes, before veteran Andrea Dobson – playing her last game of rugby league – put Chloe Billington over for Featherstone’s first score.

Although Bridget Campbell restored Huddersfield’s lead, Featherstone looked to have taken control of the match either side of half time.

Tries from Olivia Grace and Brogan Churm put them 16-12 to the good.

But the underdogs fought back with a brace from Amelia Brown to hit the front again and although Churm’s second try 17 minutes from time got Featherstone within two, the Giants held on.

Giants’ Bethan Oates told Our League: “It’s unbelievable. I’m so proud of the girls. It’s been a tough season and to come away with a narrow win, I’m so proud.

“We were all very nervous in that last quarter. We just said keep it in their half and that’s what we did, and when they did get to our half, they made mistakes.

“We’re going to watch the Leeds game now and then enjoy it with the girls and have a few drinks around Headingley.”

Featherstone had finished sixth in the regular season, winning three of eight games. While Huddersfield were one place below them with two wins from seven.

The COVID hit Women’s Super League season split with the 10 teams having played between six to eight games each.

Warrington, Bradford and Wakefield were the other three teams in the Women’s Super League Shield half of the table.

All 10 of the scheduled games in the Shield were played.

READ MORE: Saints win Women’s Super League Grand Final

Women Bethan Oates

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