Giants Women vs Barrow Raiders | Match Report

Huddersfield Giants Women were beaten 24-4 by Barrow Raiders at Craven Park in the Betfred Women’s Super League.

TEAM NEWS

There were minimal changes in a must-win fixture over Barrow. Lori Halloran named Lois Naidole and Jess Harrap on the bench, both returning after a resting period, in place of Chloe Fairbank and Leah Schofield. Becky Grady and Frankie Townend traded starting positions ahead of the clash.

As for the hosts, Amanda Wilkinson welcomed the return of star winger Emma Hutchinson following a 3-Match Penalty Notice. Hooker Beth Lindsay and Nicole Stewart moved to the interchange bench following the Raiders’ win over Featherstone, making way for utility Leah Cottier and loose Kerrie-Ann Smith. Maddie Neale couldn’t retain her place in Wilkinson’s side.

FIRST HALF

Sam Hulme’s kick deep into the right edge was too much for Barrow to collect on the first attempt. Dropping the ball, then allowing it to roll forward, the fast-approaching Frankie Townend gathered it on the 20m line to hand her side the possession. Despite the hard carries in the set from forwards into the 10, a knock-on whilst shifting the ball to the left shut down any try opportunity.

The Giants looked to continue with their destructive metre-making starting their second set deep in their 20. Hulme ran through a lapse in defence before handing speedster Mollie Iceton the ball to get to the halfway line. Iceton kicked the ball into the Barrow winger, judged to have played at the ball, for her claret #7 to collect with another 6 tackles to go. The clever play was eventually seized up with a knock-on just 20m from the try-line.

The Raiders made good progress upfield following their scrum before a Townend intercept quickly turned their attack into defence. In their desperate chase of the stand-off, the hosts conceded a penalty for holding down. Kacy Haley led the way deep into Barrow territory having started in the 40 for a chance for Iceton on the wing. Leah Clough and Demi Fisher were too big and too strong for the Giants' outside back as she was soon dragged into touch short of the line.

Mollie’s opportunity would come soon. Skipper Bethan Oates sliced through the field from her own 40 to the opposite. Another penalty was conceded by Barrow - a high shot on Meg Preston - for Huddersfield to pounce all over. There were few chances while operating on the try-line, so a kick to the left from Hulme found the unmarked Iceton on the edge to touch down. It was a well-earned try to break the deadlock, though was left unconverted by Ellie Thompson.

Fate would take the side of the Raiders for the next passage as a Giants knock-on after the restart, and a six-again shout, gave them ample position in the rival half. While the Claret wall held strong after a few stabs, they were forced into the Goal Line Drop Out for another set on their own line. 

Emily Stirzaker handed Huddersfield a lifeline with an attempted offload falling into the arms of Kacy Haley, though was ruled a knock-on moments after the action. A trade of scrums followed with Barrow staying put on the 20m line. The Giants were again awarded a penalty with a Raider Incorrect Play of the Ball on the line to rescue them from another consecutive defensive set.

It was an even contest for the next 10 minutes before Emma Hutchinson got Barrow on the board off the back of a Giants scrum. The pass from the ruck deflected off a Claret attacker for Barrow to gather cleanly. With the opposition in a rush to get back into position, Hutchinson took advantage of the short numbers on her edge to score. Nicole Stewart kicked the goal from the touchline to get the Raiders ahead 6-4, remaining the score until half-time.

SECOND HALF

Barrow came out the better side as the Giants started to crumble with errors under the 2-point gap ahead of them. The hosts remained composed with a chance for Hutchinson to cross again, only for a forward pass to have been pulled up in back play. Minutes later a legal try was awarded as Sam Norman exposed the edge for numbers. Stewart’s conversion attempt fell short hitting the Betfred padding on the sticks.

With one came two as Vanessa Temple was next to cross almost instantly from the restart. A loose ball falling from Amelia Brown’s possession in the tackle flipped the switch for Barrow. The battered Giants line opened up for the fullback to rip through and crash over left of the uprights. The easier angle for Stewart helped her add 2 more points to the Raider tally, expanding the lead to 12.

A penalty for the Giants as a result of holding down saw them break out of their own quarters for the first time in the second half. While they made the ground and completed their set they couldn’t capitalise, and once again the team in blue found themselves in action near the line.

Demi Fisher’s run from 15m out warped the Giants' defenders to her, pulling away from the edge and allowing the Raider half to send the ball out wide to Hutchinson. She was unaffected by Hulme’s attempt to tackle, enabling her to collect her brace. The kick from Stewart was aimed wide of the sticks, though Barrow in a comfortable 20-4 lead.

Hannah Goddard made a try-saving tackle as centre Michelle Larkin, playing her final game of rugby league, was dragged into touch with just 10 minutes left on the clock.

Emma Hutchinson completed her hat-trick on the final hooter with Fisher’s kick from the middle of the field 10 out found her grasp perfectly to cross unmarked by the Giants line. Stewart couldn’t get the kick right from out wide, but with the Craven Park faithful’s roars at the 24-4 scoreline, this didn’t make much difference.

With the win, Barrow secured 5th in their first Betfred Women’s Super League top-flight season. The Giants are all but confirmed as 6th, if they can beat Warrington Wolves at Laund Hill (2pm) this Sunday. Adults go for £6 with U16s £2. Dogs are NOT allowed at Laund Hill with the exception of Guide Dogs.

HALF TIME: 6-4 | RESULT: 24-4

Try: Iceton (15’)

Goal: Thompson (0/1)

Giants Women: Amelia Brown, Mollie Iceton, Ana Da Silva, Ellie Thompson, Hannah Goddard, Frankie Townend, Sam Hulme, Gracie Hobbs, Meg Preston, Emma Wilkinson, Georgia Hampshaw, Kacy Haley, Bethan Oates.

Subs: Lois Naidole, Jess Harrap, Becky Grady, Ruby Tyson.

18th: Allana Waller