Leeds Rhinos Women kicked off their 2026 season with a massive win on the road against Leigh Leopards Women in the Betfred Women's Challenge Cup.

Ruby Enright returned after almost two years out with injury and took little time to settle into the game with a try in the first two minutes in the corner.

Leeds had to be patient in the first  twenty with some errors gifting the hosts possession, but some big moments in defence, a big hit from Connie Boyd and coolness under pressure from Enright to deal with a grubber close to the line, helped to keep the Leopards out.

On ten minutes the Rhinos broke through with Liv Whitehead making a break in her own half and racing clear.  Lacey Owen kept the scoreboard ticking over when she spotted a gap in the Leigh defence to score her first of the afternoon.  The former York player was in again with eight minutes left of the half aftrer Enright took the ball to the line and then making a short tip to Owen who finished off the move.  Howard added the conversion to put the Rhinos 20-0 ahead.

There was also a sigificant moment for the club when Academy graduate Pauliane Wambalu came on in the first half to make her debut and made an impressive start to her Rhino career.

The first half came to an end with a bit of class from Ruby Bruce, who stepped round several Leigh players on her way to the try line.  Once again Howard landed the conversion to see her side go in 24-0 in front.

The half started the same way as the first had done, with Enright collecting a kick before crossing again in the corner.  There was little time for the hosts to settle into the half, with Lucy Murray going over in the corner minutes later.  Evie Cousins then showed her pace to hold off her defender and create room for the third try of the half.

Connie Boyd was next on the scoreboard for the Rhinos before a brillaint break from Bruce got the Rhinos on the front foot and Evie Cousins sprinted downfield to bring the Rhinos tally to 50.  Bryer adding the conversion.

Leeds looked in control and the Leopards never really troubled the Rhinos defence throughout the second half.  In attack, it was a clinical dispaly from the visitors and a great piece of play led to the next try as the ball was shifted out wide to Ebony Stead, who raced through before stretching out to get the ball over the line.  Bryer on target with the touchline conversion.

A break from Jess Sharp in the Leigh half got the Rhinos in a strong position before she sent Howard away on the halfaway line and there was no stopping the Australian on her way to the try line.  Bryer added the conversion.

Good work from Grace Field extended the lead for the Rhinos, showing a her strength to power over next to the posts.  Enright then completed het hat trick with a race down the wing unchallenged by her opponents.  Murray wrapped up the win in the closing stages and Tally Bryer completed her 100% kicking record with her seventh from seven conversion.