McGifford and Salihi score twice in Saints rout of Leigh

Beri Salihi joined St Helens from Wigan in November 2023

Second-placed St Helens remain just a point behind Leaders' Shield winners Wigan Warriors with a 44-0 win over Leigh Leopards.

Dani McGifford's double, plus tries from Rachael Woosey, Beri Salihi, Shona Hoyle and Caitlin Maylor helped the Saints to a 30-0 lead at the break.

Salihi added a second after the break, before Luci McColm and Vicky Whitfield rounded off the scoring.

After Warrington Wolves were unable to fulfil the rest of the season, Wigan were automatically awarded a 48-0 win and lead Saints by the one point in the Women's Super League table.

Elsewhere, Huddersfield Giants thrashed Barrow Raiders 48-6.

Amelia Brown scored two early tries for Huddersfield before Barrow's only score, a converted Beth Lindsay try.

Abigail Liu, Lois Naidole and Kelsey Gentles added three more tries to make it 28-6 at half-time.

Brown completed her hat-trick 10 minutes after the interval before Mollie Iceton and Sam Hulme, who also converted six times, got in on the act. Charlotte Shaw scored the final try seven minutes from time.

Leeds Rhinos had already secured fourth place before they beat York Valkyrie 30-14, but they had to survive a second-half scare.

Ruby Walker gave them the lead after just three minutes before Shannon Brown and Lucy Murray added two more tries before half-time.

Murray scored twice more to complete her hat-trick either side of Valkyrie's first score through Georgie Dagger.

Peace Lekuru and Savannah Andrade both crossed in the final 10 minutes, but it was too late.