Giants Women vs St Helens (Friendly) | Match Report

Huddersfield Giants Women remained unbeaten in their pre-season crusade with a 16-16 draw against St Helens at Laund Hill.

Lori Halloran added 4 more names to her line-up that took on Barrow Raiders with Amelia Brown, Em Johnstone, Emma Wilkinson and Grace Ramsden all playing their part.

Initially, St Helens looked the better side on the field. They struck inside 5 minutes via Luci McColm with Amy Taylor's conversion putting them 6 points ahead.

Errors aplenty in the passage that followed; inspiring breaks from the Giants weren't built on.

Frankie Townend's dangerous kick in the corner proved too challenging for the young Saints, who gave the Giants another set just 10 metres away from the line.

Lois Naidole along the right edge crashed over the line as St Helens were unable to keep up with the powering centre. Townend provided the equaliser, setting scores 6-6 going into half time.

St Helens took the lead once more in the game as Zoe Harris darted through the Giants bodies for the first 4 points of the second half. Academy graduate Taylor provided the kick to put Saints up 6-12.

Amelia Brown refused to be kept quiet by the visitors, making two trademark sprints down the edge whilst dismissing desperate defence. Hannah Roberts' unconverted try split Brown's dazzling 4-point efforts.

Sam Hulme had been a serious threat to the opposition with her in-field kicking game and was giving the tee to match the scoreline 16-16.

It's fair to say it was an evenly spread match with great defence from both sides, errors perhaps a too-regular occurrence.

Amelia Brown was named Player of the Match for her impressive brace in the second half.

The draw means that Lori Halloran's mighty Giants finish their pre-season campaign unbeaten as all eyes now turn to their next fixture on 16th March (12pm) at the John Smith's Stadium - a Giants-Robins men's & women's double header. Will you be there?

RESULT: 16-16 HALF TIME: 6-6

TRIES: Naidole (34'), Brown (60', 73')

GOALS: Townend (1/2), Hulme (1/1)

Giants Women: Amy Bennett, Becky Grady, Ana Da Silva, Lois Naidole, Frankie Townend, Sam Hulme, Paige Webster, Bethan Oates, Emma Wilkinson, Jess Harrap, Kacy Haley, Katy Fisher.

Interchange: Megan Preston, Grace Ramsden, Beth Armstrong, Georgia Hampshaw, Lauren Waller, Allana Waller, Em Johnstone, Ellie Thompson, Chloe Fairbank.

St Helens Women: Rebecca Rotheram, Dani McGifford, Luci McColm, Erin Stott, Phoebe Hook, Zoe Harris, Amy Taylor, Darcy Stott, Katie Mottershead, Pip Birchall, Alyx Bridge, Megan Williams, Naomi Williams.

Interchange: Gracie Bradshaw, Emily Baggaley, Hannah Roberts, Erin McDonald, Grace Arrowsmith, Caitlin Maylor, Amelia Yates, Liv Leach, Emma Lowe, Harriet Meakin, Hollie Brussels, Sophie Mitchell.