Liv Whitehead’s four first-half tries sent Leeds Rhinos top of the Women’s Super League on points difference with three teams all level on points.
The England international helped Rhinos to a 28-10 victory away to Barrow Raiders as Wigan Warriors saw off fellow contenders York Valkyrie to join the three-way tussle at the top.
St Helens claimed top spot, and boosted their points difference considerably, with an 82-0 win over local rivals Warrington Wolves yesterday, but Leeds and Wigan knew that victory today would keep the heat on Saints, who have a game in hand.
Amy Hardcastle gave Leeds the perfect start with a first-minute try in Cumbria, and then had a hand in Whitehead’s four-try spree which had Leeds 22-4 up at half-time, with Sam Norman keeping Barrow in the game with a four-pointer of her own.
Vanessa Temple’s try closed the gap in the second half but Rhinos full-back Evie Cousins scored, again from a Hardcastle pass, to put Leeds top.
Wigan faced a tough trip to perennial contenders York, who would also have gone level at the top with a win.
The visitors took command in the first half with two tries from Eva Hunter and one from Ellise Derbyshire, which brought a reply from Valkyrie’s Eboni Partington.
Jenna Foubister scored another try early in the second half to put the Warriors clear, and despite a Partington consolation try Wigan sealed an 18-10 win.
Frankie Townend ran up a personal tally of 20 points as Huddersfield Giants beat Featherstone Rovers in the battle of the bottom two 44-8 at Laund Hill.
The stand-off scored two tries and kicked six conversions as Amelia Brown notched a hat-trick and further tries from Mollie Iceton, Paige Webster and Sam Hulme lifted the Giants two places to fifth.
Chloe Smith and Katie Evans replied for the visitors.
