Women’s Super League: Double the fun for Caitlin Double the fun for Beevers and Leeds Rhinos in the Finals | News about rugby league

Leeds clinched their second Betfred Women’s Super League title with a 12-4 win over York City Knights on Sunday in the Final at the Totally Evil Stadium; Caitlin Beevers, Lois Forsell and Lindsay Anfield shared their reflections afterwards

Caitlin Beevers with the trophy player during the match after helping Leeds win the Final against York

“Every team needs a Caitlin Beevers” – assessment by Leeds Rhinos head coach Lois Forsell after the center was awarded the man of the match in the Betfred Women’s Super League Final win over York City Knights.

Still not 21 until next month, Beevers is now a two-time BWSL champion after her two transition attempts, and her part in the team-wide defensive effort has gone a long way to ensuring Rhinos wins. won 12-4 at Totally Wicked Stadium on Sunday.

She was one of seven members in Leeds’ 17th match, having played in a 20-12 Final win over Castleford Tigers at the same venue three years ago, although on that occasion she finished second. winger instead of in third place. – foot face.

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The best action in the Women’s Super Cup Final between Leeds Rhinos and York City Knights.

The ease with which the 20-year-old transitioned into that role this year is one of the reasons her coach has no doubt of her value to the team despite her relatively young age. so. For his part, Beevers was speechless.

“The feeling was huge, and I couldn’t get over it,” says Beevers. “As of 2019, it’s a fairly new team and this is the girls’ first trophy, so to be able to do that for the girls feels unrealistic.

“The girls really put their bodies in line and what we kept saying was the last 80 minutes of our season and year.

“You said a lot of defensive effort definitely means a lot to girls.”

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Match player Caitlin Beevers said the Women’s Super League Final was an ‘extraordinary match’ for women’s sport.

It marked Forsell’s second taste of glory in the Finals but the first time as head coach she was chosen player of the match in 2017 when she helped former club Bradford Bulls won against Featherstone Rovers in the first season of Supergirls. League.

She was a spectator that night three years ago due to an ACL injury that led to a mandatory end to her playing days with the Rhinos, but has overseen Leeds remaining one of the top lights in the Women’s Super League. since taking power.

“It’s a little bit different as a coach,” Forsell said, reflecting on Sunday’s success. “It’s a lot harder, I would say.

“There’s a lot to think about and the pressure seems a lot different as a coach because you’re trying to support other players and other people, but I’m lucky to have a team great support team as a coach and the club is amazing.

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Leeds Rhinos head coach Lois Forsell says she is ‘very proud’ of her team.

“I appreciate them for giving me this opportunity to do it, but to be honest it was a bit bizarre that we finally got there and made it.”

It was a historic day for her and rival Lindsay Anfield as it marked the first time two female coaches had faced each other in the decisive BWSL game.

Anfield has long been a pioneer in that role, first during his successful spell under Castleford and now as director of rugby at York, who has failed to follow through on his first success. League Leaders’ Shield in the regular season with Grand Final glory.

However, Anfield is not too disappointed, enthralled by the team’s efforts this season and the broader work being done at Minster City.

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York City Knights head coach Lindsay Anfield says her side will be ‘hungry again’ next year.

From next year, the City Knights will have an under-19 team to accompany their under-14 and under-16 teams, while they are cheered on by a large fan base from community club Heworth in St Helens.

“I was so passionate about it that maybe I was addicted,” Anfield said of the growth of the women’s rugby league in York. “Heworth brought a 53-seat bus today and this time six months ago they didn’t have a women’s team.

“The fact that we’re providing them role models for these girls and giving these girls something to aspire to is really important to me.

“A lot of the girls who played for York this year haven’t been through anything like this. They say you learn more from a loss than from a win, and I’m sure they’ll learn a lot. thing from this.”

However, it is not the end of the year for many of the players involved in this game, with some of them on both teams set to represent England – and, in the case of the York duo Elisa Akpa and Leilia Bessahli, France – in November Rugby World Cup.

As someone who has seen the women’s Super League grow from a four-team tournament to a 12-team league in two groups over a five-year period, Forsell is excited about what’s going on from 2023 onward. for both tournaments and women’s games.

“It’s been amazing to see the progress, how the players and the club have come up, and everything else,” Forsell said.

“It’s a lot bigger and hopefully we can capitalize on that on the back of the World Cup.”