WARRINGTON Wolves’ promotion to the top level of women’s rugby league is just reward for their hard work throughout the season, head coach Lee Westwood says.
The Wire’s place in Betfred Women’s Super League Group One for 2023 was confirmed on Sunday afternoon as they claimed victory in the Shield final against Featherstone Rovers.
This came after a perfect regular season in which they dominated Group Two with 12 wins in as many games.
Westwood, who has coached the team since their inception in 2019 and now celebrates a second promotion in charge, paid tribute to the effort his players and staff have put in over the course of nearly a year since the very first days of pre-season.
He also says there are some “exciting” new signings lined up to add to the existing player pool as they move into the elite of the women’s game.
“It’s amazing for them,” he told the Guardian.
“Given all the hard work for them they’ve put in since pre-season, to be here now that all that work has paid off is absolutely brilliant.
“Every single one of them – the whole squad of 27 – deserve this.
“We’ve had blood, we’ve had sweat and we’ve had tears but we’ve come out and got that Grand Final victory which was our goal at the beginning of the year.
“There will be a couple of new signings coming in which is exciting, added to the girls we’ve got and the development we’ve got coming through.
“We’re in a good place as a club and we’re doing really well.
“I’m really excited to work with these girls at the top level and hopefully, we can get to more finals as we move forward.”
Despite the convincing 34-6 final scoreline, The Wire did not have everything their own way against a Featherstone side that lost the inaugural Shield final to Huddersfield Giants last year.
Jess Dadds opened the scoring for the Yorkshirewomen but once Amy Johnson had touched down to level the scores just three minutes later, Warrington took control.
Player of the match Dani Bound crossed twice to go with further efforts from Emily Baggaley and Lauren Roberts before leading scorer Georgia Sutherland wrapped things up with her 43rd try of the season.
“We’ve had confidence in our defence all year,” Westwood said.
“Barring that one slip on our goal line early – our defence was absolutely fantastic throughout the game.
“Offensively with the ball in hand, we could have cleaned a few more sets up but we’ve worked so hard.
“It’s Grand Final football and we’ve come out on top – that’s what it’s all about.
“Katie-May Williams and Dani Bound have been our most consistent all year.
“Considering where she was earlier in the season, Lucy Eastwood has been fantastic. Amy Daniels has been brilliant going into the middle, Armani Sharrock has led from the front with Michelle Davis.
“From 1-17, you couldn’t fault anybody. I’m just so proud of the girls and the staff, who have put a load of work in as well.
“We go into the big time now and we’ll see how we go.”
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