Giants Women vs Warrington Wolves | Match Report

Lori Halloran’s Huddersfield Giants Women ran riot against Warrington Wolves with a 32-10 victory at Victoria Park.

TEAM NEWS

There were minimal changes for Lori Halloran following the 42-4 defeat to Leeds. Amy Bennett returned at fullback with Jess Dadds making way. Prop Paige Webster came off the bench to replace Ellie Oldroyd's role in the previous fixture; Chloe Fairbank was promoted from 18th Player duties to interchange impact with Wales international Gracie Hobbs unavailable to play.

Armani Sharrock's side will have been raring to go following their 16-10 win over Featherstone Rovers. During the bye-week, Wire made Emily Baggaley's loan deal permanent with the former Warrington second-row joining St Helens at the beginning of the year. Ex-Giant Albany Coates filled in at centre with star Nicole Barnett absent, as a result, Abi Johnston found her place back on the wing. The only other change for Warrington was in the former of their hookers with Ellie Jelves starting over Jasmine Wilson.

FIRST HALF

Ellie Thompson got the game underway kicking off at the Warrington attack. They couldn't make the most of their opening set with a knock-on soon after providing the Giants a scrum on the 40m line. Another fault from the Wire followed, a high shot on former Wolf Amy Bennett conceding a penalty.

Both sides were scrappy with play. Cries of six again from the man in the middle in favour of the hosts and visitors proving the struggle to get going early on.

It would be the Wire who struck on the scoreboard first. A lengthy injury break allowed both sides to regather and reshape, with Warrington inches from the line. Working the ball to the right on the restart, it was clear there would be only one ending to the set: try. Millie Bell's offload to Charlize Magraw was then handed on to the unmarked Sam Simpson who crossed in the corner. It was unconverted from Magraw from the sideline.

Lois Naidole broke the 10-minute deadlock to get the Giants on the board. The hosts were found guilty of predicting the play, allowing the centre to burst through the defensive line untouched for a clean break to the line. Thompson slotted the ball through the sticks for 2 points - the narrow lead heading into the second half. 

SECOND HALF

Emily Baggaley's try was the first action of the second half, restoring the lead for the Wire. Pressing deep and quick into the Huddersfield half, the undetected second-row ran a strong line to slide under the posts and in doing so gave Magraw the easy conversion opportunity.

Just minutes later, the Giants snapped into gear. Forwards Emma Wilkinson and Kacy Haley carried hard allowing for the perfect field position to capitalise on. Sliding the ball out to the right, Frankie Townend handed the ball to Naidole on her right, with Lois taking the ball some metres in the tackle before it was back to Townend for Amelia Brown to finish the silky play. With the effort unconverted, it was 10-10.

Scores wouldn't stay the same for too long though, with Townend involved in another try just plays later. A last tackle kick rebounding off the Wire was recollected for another set of 6. Confusion from the opposition allowed Frankie to slice through the line before she was tackled short of the posts. Sending it out to the left speedster Mollie Iceton was on hand to get the ball down, Ellie Thompson returning to kicking duties to get the full 6 points.

Warrington were tiring following back-to-back tries - but it didn't finish there. Sam Hulme launched a kick into the try zone which was batted away by a Wolves hand, giving away a Goal Line Drop Out. The kick was short, Townend on hand to collect and send to Naidole who went over for her brace.

Scrum-half Hulme came into her own when she ripped a gap in the defence following an obscene amount of dummies sent numbers everywhere. Broaching close to the line, she threw the ball out wide for Iceton - also picking up the double - to wrap round for touch down right in the middle for Thompson's kicking tee. Extending the score to 28-10 with 20 minutes to go against a tiring host unit, it looked set for the Giants' second win in the league.

Brown was in at the double with minutes left on the clock to solidify the result. Hulme kicked to her right from the left edge for the winger to finely pluck the ball from the air and touch down. The game finished 32-10 with an unsuccessful conversion from Thompson at the end.

Lori Halloran's Giants Women are back in action this Sunday (14th July) at Laund Hill (2pm KO) as they take on Barrow Raiders, who come off a 44-0 loss to York Valkyrie.

HT: 6-4 RESULT: 32-10

Tries: Brown (2), Naidole (2), Iceton (2)

Goals: Townend (0/1), Thompson (4/5)

Giants Women: Amy Bennett, 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: Paige Webster, Meg Preston, Georgia Hampshaw, Chloe Fairbank.

18th: Ruby Tyson.