Giants Women vs Featherstone Rovers | Match Report

Lori Halloran's Huddersfield Giants Women took the spoils at Laund Hill with a resounding 44-8 victory over Featherstone Rovers.

Neither side could consider their starts perfect. The Rovers were riddled with sloppy defensive errors which handed the hosts some well earned yardage. The first chance came for them in the 6th minute with Sam Hulme launching a kick to the left for impressive young speedster Mollie Iceton to chase. The 17-year-old protégé was first to the scene, getting to the tryline though knocking on in the act of scoring.

Frankie Townend was the first to break the deadlock in the 13th, set up superbly by second-row Kacy Haley's barnstorming run. Sending bullets through Featherstone's try zone defence, Townend was the one to eventually break through for her first try of the day with a swift conversion.

Brown proved no matter what position she's in, she'll showcase her immense pace at any given opportunity. Starting from halfway, Brown snapped defenders' ankles with fancy footwork before a trademark dash under the posts. Townend on hand for another 2 points.

Hulme and Townend would be the curators of their side's third try - and last of the half - selling a fair few dummies for Featherstone to buy. With perplexed faces, Iceton was undetected on the edge ensuring a chance to redeem her prior attempt. A healthy break did just that, crossing through to provide her kicker an easy target.

To their credit, Featherstone did well to bounce back. The glaringly increasing scoreline was halted thanks to the efforts of the Rovers’ forward pack. Georgia Hampshaw filled in at dummy half inches from the line, her darting flight was held up by the steely wall of defence.

Penalties were shared on both ends for the final 10 with temperaments boiling over, clearly feeling the significance of the game. As the visitors nor hosts could make the most of their advantages, the scoreboard didn't budge heading in for half time.

Kick off was directed at the Giants, who almost instantly responded to head coach Lori Halloran's team talk. Metres up the field in their first set was key and would eventually reap their rewards. Prop Paige Webster was fed the ball from the ruck on the line in the final tackle, with the forward only ever going in one destination - the try zone. The angle from the right proved too awkward for Townend to convert.

To the Rovers’ delight, they too were finally rewarded after a much improved display in the second instalment of the game. Following Webster's try, they kicked their game up a gear which would see them 4 points greater. Chloe Smith was the recipient of the ball being fed down the line. She threw some false passes of her own towards Townend's way which caught the fellow half off-guard. Smith was able to bolt to the line for a well crafted try, though wasn't backed by Tally Bryer from the kicking tee.

Another well contested period followed as Featherstone still had their chances to claw their way back into the game. Fatigue was piling on Marie Colley's side, allowing for Townend to break free centrefield. A pass to the quickly approaching Brown all but confirmed their 5th try of the day.

Fev's high shot almost instantly from kick-off gave Huddersfield the momentum to once again blitz through their tiring pack. Townend with another linebreak for her to convert was at a pace her opposition couldn't compete with.

Back-to-back tries in quick succession were the nail in the coffin the last time these two teams previously faced off, it appeared the exact same here.

Hulme was handed the ball from interchange hooker Ruby Tyson in a space the Rovers couldn't cover. She straightened up under the sticks after an impressive sprint tearing through the left edge, with her partner in the halves Townend thankful with the easy conversion target.

Brown rounded off her hat-trick with a modest run from the 40 metre line, with Fev's Katie Evans crossing for a consolation try as the final whistle blew. A completely dominant performance from the Giants, potentially securing their place in next year's Women's Super League.

HT: 18-0 RESULT: 44-8

Tries: Brown (3), Townend (2), Hulme, Iceton, Webster.

Goals: Townend (6/8)

Giants Women: Amelia Brown, Allana Waller, Lois Naidole, Ana Da Silva, Mollie Iceton, Frankie Townend, Sam Hulme, Emma Wilkinson, Meg Preston, Jess Harrap, Kacy Haley, Georgia Hampshaw, Katy Fisher.

Subs: Paige Webster, Chloe Fairbank, Ruby Tyson, Gracie Hobbs.

18th: Amy Bennett.