Tigresses score thirteen tries in York friendly

Ten first-team players were unavailable for selection after competing in the Yorkshire versus Lancashire Origin game last Saturday.

Nevertheless, the Tigresses managed to put together a strong display just a few weeks ahead of the season opener against St. Helens (29th March).

Rhiannion Marshall scored the first of her five tries in the opening seven minutes. The loose forward powered down the right wing and touched down to open the scoring.

Ten minutes later, 16-year-old Eva Izumi scored a try on her debut as the home side extended their lead to 8-0.

Leah Jones missed her first two conversions but there were no mistakes on her third attempt which came after Lucy Eastwood’s try in the 23rd minute.  

Muddy conditions at De Lacy Academy certainly didn’t help the flow of the game as errors became evermore frequent. Nevertheless, with ten minutes remaining of the first half, the Tigresses were able to add three more tries courtesy of Marshall, Emma Lumley and Millie Walsh.

It didn’t take long for the home side to extend their lead in the second half as Lumley powered over in the first minute after the restart.

Then, two more efforts from Marshall plus a debut try for Nottingham star Sophie Todd extended Castleford’s lead to 54-0. Leah Jones then added a couple of tries to her name as she rounded off an impressive debut outing.

Just before the end, Marshall added one more effort to her tally however, Castleford were unable to keep a clean sheet with York getting over the whitewash in the final move of the game.

Speaking after the 70-4 victory Lindsay Anfield said: “It was great to give our young players an opportunity today. With ten of our girls away on Origin duty everything worked out quite well as everybody has managed to get some minutes under their belts one way or the other.

“I would like to thank York for coming down. They also included some new girls in their team and they showed great heart by never giving up. I wish York all the best for the upcoming season.”

Next up for the Tigresses is the season opener against St. Helens on Sunday March 29th. More details regarding the game will be revealed closer to time.

Castleford Tigers Women 70-4 York City Knights

Castleford Tries: Rhiannion Marshall (5), Eva Izumi, Lucy Eastwood, Emma Lumley (2), Millie Walsh, Sophie Todd, Leah Jones (2)

Castleford Conversions: Leah Jones (8), Rhiannion Marshall

Player of the Match: Lucy Eastwood

Att: 100 approx.

Venue: De Lacy Academy

Squad:

2. Leah Jones (Aysgarth Falls Campsite and Rooms)

22. Kaitlyn Varley (Phill and Danielle Gill & Fryston Warriors U16s Girls)

16. Esme Reynolds (AeroCool)

24. Meganne Birch (Ellwood Joinery)

26. Eva Izumi (David Brunt Building Consultant and Lambson Building Products Ltd)

13. Rhiannion Marshall (Castle Commercial Cleaning Limited)

18. Millie Walsh (Hather Plant Hire)

20. Kirsty Duffield (David & Peter Walker)

15. Lucy Eastwood (Paul and Donna Hampton)

14. Sammy Watts (The Sammy Watts Fan Club)

23. Amie Backhouse (National Autolocks)

10. Emma Lumley (Moran Personal Training and Chuldow Martial Arts)

19. Sophie Todd (Nottingham Outlaws RLFC)

17. Jasmine Bell (Tom Field Autos)

21. Sam Jordan (Refresco)

27. Lucy Ranby (Available to Sponsor)

HC: Lindsay Anfield (Aysgarth Falls Campsite and Rooms)