Saints thrash Wolves to go top of Women's Super League
St Helens moved a point clear of Wigan at the top of the table with victory over Warrington
- Published
Betfred Women's Super League
St Helens (36) 86
Tries: Rudge 2, Hardcastle, Salihi 2, Woosey, McGifford 3, Hook, Stott, Cunningham 3, Casey, Gaskin, Hoyle Goals: Gaskin 9
Warrington Wolves (0) 0
Jodie Cunningham and Dani McGifford both scored hat-tricks as St Helens thrashed bottom side Warrington Wolves 86-0 to go top of the Women's Super League.
Eight first-half tries, including a brace from Emily Rudge plus scores from Amy Hardcastle, Beri Salihi, Rachael Woosey, McGifford, Phoebe Hook and Erin Stott, meant the game was won by half-time.
McGifford and Cunningham both completed their trebles after the break, along with further tries from Salihi, Caitlin Casey, Faye Gaskin and Shona Hoyle.
It means Saints, who are a point clear of Wigan, are still unbeaten with four wins and a draw this season, while Warrington have lost every match so far.
Two tries inside the first five minutes put the Saints in full control. First, Rudge crossed in the corner after receiving a quick pass, before Hardcastle drove through on the left, with Gaskin missing both kicks.
Rudge added her second try and Saints' third on 12 minutes following a powerful run by Gaskin, who kicked the first of nine successful conversions.
Salahi then scored for 18-0 after impressive play by Cunningham and the tries continued as Rudge fed Woosey on 22 minutes, before McGifford showed brilliant skill to cross on the left after an excellent catch and pass.
With 10 minutes remaining until the break, Hook ran clear to cross in the right corner after more great switch play from the hosts, and Stott exploited a gap to get in on the act.
McGifford added her second almost immediately after the break, driving in from the left to cross under the posts before Cunningham completed a stunning hat-trick within 10 minutes.
Casey added a 13th try by the hour after more brilliant team play unlocked the door on the left, and McGifford then completed her own hat-trick as she raced clear after a pass from Salihi.
Three more tries followed in the final 10 minutes, starting when Salihi crossed after sneaking through a gap and running through.
Moments after converting that score, Gaskin touched down for a try of her own before Hoyle crossed for the final try late on, surging forward after a well-timed pass from Casey.