Giants Women vs Leeds Rhinos | Match Report

Huddersfield Giants Women were beaten 4-42 by Leeds Rhinos in our MND Association dedicated round at Laund Hill.

The Rhinos had just come off a 22-0 Wembley defeat against St Helens, so naturally were looking to back the result with a commanding performance.

Positional changes were made by Lori Halloran, opting for Jess Harrap at prop, Ellie Thompson and loose - and then fullback - as well as Katy Fisher moving alongside Kacy Haley in the second row.

Lois Forsell went without fullback Ruby Enright, opting for outside back Olivia Whitehead, and exchanged Caitlin Casey in the halves for Jenna Greening.

FIRST HALF

Ellie Thompson's kick-off worked wonders, bouncing before going out right in front of Leeds numbers. A quick exchange of possession from Giants to Rhinos, before returning to Giants had been instigated from a knock-on on a home front. Winger Mollie Iceton was quick to turnover by dragging opposite number Tara Moxon into touch before her side lost the ball later on in the set.

Leeds maintained their composure as Ella Donnelly drew first blood with the defensive line breaking down in front of her. England hooker Keara Bennett took kicking duties in regular kickers Enright and Casey's absence, converting successfully.

Amy Hardcastle was the next to cross for the Rhinos, who were soon looking to put the Cup Final behind them. Straight from the restart, they chewed the metres upfield through their middles. Zoe Hornby bursted into the 40, before offloading to Hardcastle for her to touch down. Bennett found struggle in the touchline angle.

Young centre Ana Da Silva ignited the first showing of a Giant threat after a monster hit enforced a knock-on. On the opposite edge, Lois Naidole produced a healthy 30m sprint to the applause of home fans in front of her. While the set would go pointless, possession was soon handed back over as Moxon was once more dragged into touch - this time by Amelia Brown.

Props Hornby and Northrop, a former Giant, crashed through under the sticks in quick succession as Bennett's kicks were easily struck, stretching the Rhinos to a 22-point lead advantage.

Lori Halloran's side stook together through the middle phases of the half which in turn provided them with the well-earned try. Brown in an uncommon sight - usually dashing up the pitch - this time forced to reach over to score out of a tackle. Frankie Townend couldn't register her first kick of the day from the edge.

Soon after, the hosts conceded a scrum in a compromising position for Sophie Robinson to add her name to the scoresheet off of unconverted. Shona Hoyle, another past representative of the Claret and Gold colours, traded a knock-on of her own which gave glimmers of hope for the Giants to chop the point difference but left scores 4-26 going in for half-time.

SECOND HALF

Another class kick straight from the whistle was allowed to bounce out by the Rhinos, which was soon backed by a scrum from the hosts. Sam Hulme put in a spiralling kick - once more left unharmed by the blue numbers - giving one more 6-tackle set in the opposite half.

The in-form England Knights forward Lucy Murray attempted a barge over the line but were swiftly denied any reward by the Giants tough wall. They kept up for some period before Donnelly broke through, at the expense of an injury to Giants fullback Jess Dadds, which wasn't converted. Thompson came in to Dadds' position to see out the final 20.

Hoyle redeemed herself in Leeds' books by racing clear under the posts without notice as Bennett completed her final conversion kick of the day.

Northrop was then in for a second time with just 4 minutes on the clock, stand-off Hanna Butcher slotting the conversion to earn her side a rich 38-point distance between the Rhinos and Giants, who were unable to come up with any answers in the second 40.

HT: 4-26 RESULT: 4-42

Try: Brown

Goals: Townend (0/1)

Giants Women: Jess Dadds, Mollie Iceton, Ana Da Silva, Lois Naidole, Amelia Brown, Frankie Townend, Sam Hulme, Jess Harrap, Bethan Oates, Emma Wilkinson, Kacy Haley, Katy Fisher, Ellie Thompson.

Subs: Ellie Oldroyd, Meg Preston, Georgia Hampshaw, Gracie Hobbs.

18th: Chloe Fairbank.