FOLLOWING on from a well-received pilot held in Wigan last year next Sunday, October 18, sees the second staging of the Women’s Rugby League County Origin Series, brought this year to St Helens.

The successful Thatto Heath Crusaders club, home to the national Women’s Rugby League champions, has won the right to host the event which will pit Lancashire against the traditional enemy from across the Pennines at both Under 18s and Open Age level.

The onus will no doubt be on the Yorkshire team to restore some pride in the white rose women’s game following a recent clean sweep of major hours by North West based teams at the recent Women’s RL Grand Finals Day.

“I’m sure some players will still be smarting from that,” commented James Shuttleworth, RFL Competition Manager.

“The three finals were all in the balance and the Yorkshire sides could quite easily have won all the games; add to this Lancashire’s victory in the corresponding fixture last year and I’m sure we’ll see a highly motivated Yorkshire side looking to come here and take the honours.”

The Under 18s game starts the action kicking off at noon before the Open Age sides commence battle at 2pm.

Entry is £3 (£1 concessions) with all money raised on the day going to Thatto Heath Crusaders to further the development of the sport locally.