Gaskin shines as St Helens hold off Leeds
St Helens defended with quality and passion as they built a 10-0 half-time lead
- Published
Betfred Women's Super League
St Helens (10) 12
Tries: Gaskin Goals: Gaskin 4
Leeds Rhinos (0) 6
Tries: Bennett Goals: Bennett
Faye Gaskin scored all the points as St Helens ended Leeds Rhinos' three-match winning run to the start of the Women's Super League season with a gutsy victory at Totally Wicked Stadium.
Rhinos dominated the opening quarter but were sloppy in attack and failed to turn possession and territory into points against a determined home defence.
Gaskin slotted straightforward kicks either side of a fine solo try to give Saints a 10-0 half-time lead.
Leeds continued to pile on the pressure on the resumption, Keara Bennett pouncing and converting her own try.
But Saints once again showed their resilience in defence and another Gaskin penalty sealed a memorable victory, which takes them level on points with Leeds and league leaders Wigan Warriors.
An intense contest, played in slippery conditions only 15 days before the sides meet in the Women’s Challenge Cup final at Wembley, finished as it began, with the hosts repelling heavy Leeds pressure.
Sophie Robinson and Caitlin Casey were both held up over the line inside the first 20 minutes but Saints were also thankful to the visitors' regular failure to see out their sets - and some wayward passing.
A pacy break by Vicky Whitfield signalled the start of Saints’ best spell and Gaskin made sure they were rewarded with three kicks and a brilliant try where she dummied to break through before powering over.
More fine defending by Leah Burke to stop Evie Cousins on the line ensured Leeds were scoreless at the break.
And despite Bennett sneaking over to set nerves jangling, Saints held on for a third win in four League games - an identical record to Leeds.
St Helens: Salihi, Hook, E Stott, McColm, Burke, Harris, Gaskin, Whitfield, Jones, Crowl, Travis, Rudge, Cunningham.
Interchanges: Williams, D Stott, Birchall, Mottershead, Sutherland.
Leeds Rhinos: Whitehead, Robinson, Beevers, Hardcastle, Cousins, Butcher, Casey, Field, Bennett, Northrop, Murray, Sykes, Donnelly.
Interchanges: Hornby, Moxon, Lockwood, Greening, Watson.