Women’s Super League Grand Final: Fran Goldthorp inspires Leeds Rhinos to victory against Castleford Tigers

Leeds Rhinos 20 Castleford Tigers 12

Fran Goldthorp had already announced herself as a rising star with a try in Leeds’ Challenge Cup final win over Castleford in July, but here she claimed a delightful double to down the Tigers again and hand the Rhinos the Women’s Super League title.

The 16-year-old winger was only called into Adam Cuthbertson’s side earlier this year due to an injury crisis, but she has now made her mark in the two games that mattered most.

And so Leeds, coached by men’s first-team player Cuthbertson, were left celebrating a double in front of chief executive Gary Hetherington and director of rugby Kevin Sinfield.

After another traumatic at Headingley for the men’s team, the women’s success in lifting both major trophies was not to be sniffed at and was certainly rapturously received at the final hooter.

Head coach Cutbertson said: “Fran is an absolute natural talent and has got that athleticism that you can’t coach.

“She took her moment tonight and really shone. She’s definitely one we’re going to have to keep an eye on as a rugby league community because she’s brilliant at everything – she’s brilliant at rugby union and a great cricketer.”

Castleford led 8-0 early on but Leeds gradually took control to run out worthy victors in front of a crowd of 1,673, a record attendance for a women’s Grand Final.

Having lost to Leeds in successive Challenge Cup finals and also last season’s play-offs, Castleford soon led when winger Maisie Lumb dived over in the right corner to cap a flowing move.

Castleford breached Leeds’ defence again soon after as Rhiannion Marshall found centre Lacey Owen and she forced her way over inside the left channel.

Leeds, having committed several early mistakes with the ball in hand, gradually steadied themselves and fashioned an impressive response.

They got off the mark in the 13th minute when Hanna Butcher’s flat pass sent centre Abby Eatock galloping down the right channel.

Leeds continued to move through the gears after the break and Goldthorp scampered clear to score inside the left channel before soon claiming her second, although replays appeared to suggest she was held up by Hollie Dodd.

Nevertheless, the try was given and the Rhinos struck again when Elle Frain touched down. Kelsey Gentles took Georgia Roche's fine pass to hit back for a third Castleford try, but the night, and indeed the season, belonged to Leeds.

Tigers coach Lindsay Anfield admitted afterwards: “Leeds do the basics really well and I have no complaints.”

Match details

Castleford: T Stanley; M Lumb, L Eastwood, L Owen, K Gentles; G Roche, G Field; S Peach, S Hoyle, H Dodd, T Renouf, R Marshall

Subs: S Watts, E Lumley, F Townend, E Slow

Leeds: C Beevers; S Nuttall, A Eatock, C Kerrigan, F Goldthorp; D Anderson, T Gaines, A Johnson, A Staveley, C Booth, P Webster

Subs: K Bennett, E Frain, D Priim, E Oldroyd

Referee: Greg Dolan