REPORT: TOWN LADIES VS LEIGH MINERS RANGERS

Our ladies were back at home as they took on Leigh!

Workington Town Ladies booked themselves a home semi-final in the end-of-season play-offs with another outstanding performance, defeating Leigh Miners Rangers 48-4 at the Fibrus Community Stadium.

Playing in sweltering conditions, Town once again showcased the quality that has made them one of the standout sides in the league this season. Despite missing several influential players through injury, the squad produced a disciplined and clinical display to strengthen their position near the top of the table.

The hosts were without captain Beth Adams, Lauren Coulson and Meagan Byers, but there was a warm welcome for new additions Lexi Hodgson and Lauren Oates, who both made an immediate impression in Town colours.

Town started brightly and opened the scoring through Josie Scrimgour, who finished off a powerful attacking move after Bethani Fearns had carved through the Leigh defence. Leonie Bragg added the conversion to give the hosts the perfect start.

Following a lengthy stoppage for an injury to a Leigh player, Town quickly regained their momentum. Strong build-up play created the opportunity for Georgia Naylor to dart over from close range, extending the advantage.

The pressure continued to build as Fearns once again broke the defensive line before selflessly putting debutant Hodgson over for her first try in Town colours, capping off an impressive start to her home debut.

Town's fourth score came courtesy of excellent awareness from Keeley Chatters, who reacted quickest to a loose kick before racing clear to score under the posts, with Bragg again successful from the tee.

Leigh managed to cross shortly before the interval, but Town remained firmly in control heading into the second half.

Any hopes of a Leigh comeback were quickly extinguished after the restart. Town forced their visitors deep into their own half before Scrimgour crossed for her second try of the afternoon, rewarding another spell of sustained pressure.

The Town centre completed a deserved hat-trick soon afterwards, showing blistering pace to race clear from deep inside her own half and finish off one of the tries of the game.

The contest briefly became heated midway through the second half, with both sides temporarily reduced to twelve players following an off-the-ball incident. Town remained composed and continued to play their rugby.

Fearns finally got the try her outstanding performance deserved, finishing off another flowing attacking move after excellent work from Leia Turner to break the line.

There was still time for another memorable moment as new signing Lauren Oates burst through the middle to create a scoring opportunity for Bragg, who finished the move before converting her own try.

Town rounded off an excellent afternoon in style when Hodgson collected the ball deep inside her own half and sprinted almost the length of the field, beating the final defender to complete a dream home debut with her second try of the match.

Bragg added the conversion to bring the curtain down on another superb team performance.

While there were plenty of standout individual displays, this was another victory built on teamwork. Fearns was outstanding throughout with her powerful carries and tireless work rate, while Scrimgour's hat-trick, Hodgson's dream debut and the influence of Bragg, Naylor and Chatters highlighted the depth within this impressive Town squad.

Most importantly, the victory guarantees Workington Town Ladies a home tie in the end-of-season play-offs, a reward they have thoroughly earned through their consistency, resilience and exciting brand of rugby throughout the campaign.

With confidence continuing to grow and key players still to return from injury, Town will now look to carry this momentum into the final stages of the season as they chase silverware.