'It’s do or die': Leeds Rhinos women's season on the line in semi-final showdown with St Helens

Captain Courtney Winfield-Hill is confident Leeds Rhinos can bounce straight back into the Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final.
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Rhinos finished third in the five-team table, four points behind leaders York City Knights and two adrift of St Helens, who they face in a play-off semi-final at Headingley on Sunday (5.15pm)

Successive losses to Saints and York, last Sunday, shattered Leeds’ hopes of finishing top and they will be underdogs in the second part of a double-header also featuring the Knights against fourth-placed Wigan Warriors (3pm).

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But Rhinos are aiming for a third successive Grand Final appearance and Winfield-Hill stressed: “It’s do or die, that can be an incredibly motivating thing and hopefully it brings out the best in the girls.”

Courtney Winfield-Hill lands the winning conversion for Rhinos aganst St Helens in June. Picture by Ed Sykes/SWpix.com.Courtney Winfield-Hill lands the winning conversion for Rhinos aganst St Helens in June. Picture by Ed Sykes/SWpix.com.
Courtney Winfield-Hill lands the winning conversion for Rhinos aganst St Helens in June. Picture by Ed Sykes/SWpix.com.

Saints, the reigning champions, beat Leeds in this year’s Challenge Cup final, but Rhinos avenged that with a 20-18 win at TW Stadium in June.

“We definitely have to take confidence from the win over at St Helens earlier in the season,” Winfield-Hill pledged.

“Even though they beat us [30-22] a few weeks ago, when you watch it in review it’s quite clear to see where we missed a few opportunities to capitalise.

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“Those things certainly instil a lot of belief that they are not unbeatable and we have got the capacity to turn them over.”

Courtney Winfield-Hill. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.Courtney Winfield-Hill. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
Courtney Winfield-Hill. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
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Rhinos led 10-0 against York last week, but couldn’t build on their strong start and were beaten 22-14.

An ankle injury suffered by stand-off and former Woman of Steel Georgia Roche was a huge blow, but Winfield-Hill believes Leeds can cope if star players are missing this weekend.

She said: “It just means an opportunity for others to step up.

Rhinos' Georgia Roche suffered an ankle injury during last week's loss to York. Picture by Ed Sykes/SWpix.com.Rhinos' Georgia Roche suffered an ankle injury during last week's loss to York. Picture by Ed Sykes/SWpix.com.
Rhinos' Georgia Roche suffered an ankle injury during last week's loss to York. Picture by Ed Sykes/SWpix.com.

“We pride ourselves on the depth in our squad.”

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Home advantage could be crucial and Winfield-Hill appealed for Rhinos fans to turn out for the double-header.

“It’s lovely when the North Stand has a few people in it, because the atmosphere and the echo it creates out on the pitch is terrific,” she said.

“The double-header will hopefully be enticing for people to come in and for £5, that’s value for money to watch two games in a terrific facility.”