6 hrs

Report: Town Ladies vs Leigh Miners Semi-Final

Our ladies were looking for a place in the promotion play-off final!

Workington Town Ladies produced a stunning display at the Fibrus Community Stadium on Sunday, powering their way into the League One Promotion Play-Off Final with a commanding 68-0 victory over Leigh Miners Rangers.

With a place in the promotion final at stake, Town knew they would need to deliver and they did exactly that, putting together one of their most impressive performances of the season in front of the home supporters.

The result means Town Ladies are now just one game away from promotion, with the Promotion Play-Off Final awaiting them at the DIY Kitchen Stadium on September 20.

TOWN HIT THE GROUND RUNNING

Despite Leigh arriving determined to make life difficult, Town wasted little time establishing control.

Josie Scrimgour opened the scoring after just four minutes, with Leonie Bragg adding the conversion to put Town 6-0 ahead.

The hosts then produced a superb passage of attacking rugby to extend their advantage. Nikita Gibson broke down the wing before finding Evie Tonkin, who finished the move to put Town 10-0 ahead.

Tonkin was causing all sorts of problems for the Leigh defence and was involved again moments later, beating defenders before putting Georgia Naylor through to score.

Bragg's second successful conversion made it 16-0.

Town continued to dominate territory and possession, and another well-placed kick from Scrimgour created the opportunity for Bethani Fearns to score, with Bragg converting to stretch the lead to 22-0.

There was still time for another before the break, as Kacey Currie produced a superb individual effort to cross out wide and send Town into half-time with a commanding 26-0 lead.

TOWN TURNED THE SCREW

If Leigh were hoping for a way back into the contest after the interval, Town quickly put those hopes to bed.

A powerful run from Fearns opened up the defence, allowing Sophie Price to cross as Town moved beyond the 30-point mark.

Scrimgour then added her second try of the afternoon after another display of excellent footwork, before Keeley Chatters made a brilliant break and found Tonkin, who crossed for her second of the afternoon.

With the wind making conversions difficult, Town continued to attack with relentless intensity.

Katelyn Misfud was next on the scoresheet following another powerful attacking move involving Fearns and Price, with Bragg converting to make it 46-0.

Town then moved beyond 50 when captain Beth Adams, returning to the side, crashed over from close range.

It was a special moment for the skipper, who had made her return to action and capped it with a try.

Bragg then got in on the scoring herself, breaking through 20 metres out and stepping the fullback to score, before Leia Turner crossed after another excellent attacking move.

With the clock running down, Tonkin completed her hat-trick in spectacular fashion, racing the length of the field to score and bringing the final score to 68-0.

The Scottish international then added the conversion herself to round off a magnificent afternoon for Town.

ONE GAME FROM PROMOTION

The final whistle sparked celebrations as Town confirmed their place in the League One Promotion Play-Off Final.

After another hugely impressive season for the Ladies, they are now just 80 minutes away from promotion and have given themselves a fantastic opportunity to finish the campaign with silverware and a step up the rugby league pyramid.

Town Ladies Head Coach Gareth Nicholson was delighted with the performance.

“The game was absolutely amazing and to score 68 points against a side like Leigh Miners Rangers shows how determined we were to get to this final.”

He also praised the return of captain Beth Adams and the performances of Tonkin and Fearns.

“Evie and Bethani were superb today... the pace on show was incredible at times.”

There is also further encouragement ahead of the final, with Beth Weir, Lexi Hodgson and Kayleigh Robinson-Murray all expected to be available, alongside Tonkin.

Leigh Miners Rangers Head Coach Kev Hattersley was equally complimentary, admitting:

“Across the three games we’ve played you have been the best team we’ve come up against.”

NOW WE NEED THE TOWN ARMY

Town Ladies have done their part on the pitch.

Now they need the Town Army to do theirs.

With the Derwent Park Supporters Club already selling out two coaches for the trip to Wakefield and efforts underway for a potential third coach through the Travellers Rest Supporters Club, the blue and white support is preparing to get behind the Ladies for the biggest game of their season.