Women's Super League Grand Final: Leeds Rhinos 20-12 Castleford Tigers

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Fran Goldthorp scores her second try of the Grand FinalImage source, PA Media
Image caption,

Two tries in the space of eight minutes from Fran Goldthorp put Leeds ahead for the first time

Betfred Women's Super League Grand Final

Leeds Rhinos Women (4) 20

Tries: Goldthorp 2, Eatock, Frain Goals: Hill 2

Castleford Tigers Women (8) 12

Tries: Lumb, Owen, Gentles

Leeds Rhinos Women completed a Super League and Challenge Cup double as they came from behind to beat Castleford Tigers in the Grand Final.

Tigers led 8-4 at half-time with Maisie Lumb and Lacey Owen's early tries as Abby Eatock crossed for Rhinos.

A Fran Goldthorp double put Leeds ahead for the first time before Ellie Frain seemingly put the game to bed.

But Kelsey Gentles snuck in for Castleford's third to reduce the deficit before Leeds hung on.

It was another final heartbreak for Cas, who also lost 16-10 to Leeds in July's Challenge Cup Final and only lost twice in the regular season as they claimed the League Leaders' Shield.

For Leeds, victory came after they were beaten in last season's Grand Final by Wigan.

Woman of Steel and stand-in Rhinos captain Courtney Hill came to the fore in the second half to help mastermind their comeback.

Cas had stunned Rhinos in the opening stages as Lumb and Owen both crossed inside the opening six minutes but Adam Cuthbertson's side struck back when Eatock sprinted from halfway for her seventh try in the past four games.

Tigers held on until after the break when Goldthorp's first score brought Leeds level. The winger crossed again eight minutes later to put Rhinos ahead for the first time in the game, despite a valiant defensive effort from Hollie Dodd.

Momentum continued for Leeds and Frain came off the bench to give them an unassailable lead despite Gentles' brave score in reply for Castleford.

Castleford: Stanley; Lumb, Eastwood, Owen, Gentles; Roche, Cudjoe; Field, Peach, Hoyle, Dodd, Renouf, Marshall.

Interchanges: Watts, Lumley, Townend, Slowe.

Leeds: Beevers; Nuttall, Eatock, Kerrigan, Goldthorp; Butcher, Hill; Anderson, Gaines, Johnson, Staveley, Booth, Webster.

Interchanges: Bennett, Frain, Priim, Oldroyd.

Referee: Greg Dolan.

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