Women hold off Huddersfield
- Match Report as Wigan Warriors Women took the two points on the road to Huddersfield Giants.
- Wigan ran in six tries on the afternoon including a brace from Rebecca Greenfield.
- FT | Huddersfield Giants 18-30 Wigan Warriors.
The Warriors Women made the most of a torrential downpour as they sealed a 30-18 victory over Huddersfield Giants Women at Laund Hill Sports Complex.
After an opening derby defeat, the Women bounced back superbly by running in six tries and holding off a second half Giants fight back. Taylor White made her first start in a Warriors side that saw Molly Jones handed her senior debut from the bench and Anna Davies and Gabi Leigh return to the squad.
Report
Wigan struck the opener inside five minutes as Rebecca Greenfield made the most of a gap in the Giants defence to cross for a 4-0 lead that could have been rapidly matched had Amelia Brown taken a pass in open space on the wing.
The lead became 10-0 on 16 minutes as Emma Dwyer took advantage of a quick play the ball to dive over from close range, Georgia Wilson converted with ease in front of the sticks.
Both sides were handling the conditions well but Wigan seemed to be the stronger in attack with Beth Hayes’ battering ram style carries flooring multiple defenders. This led to a close range chance for Sinead Doria before clever play saw Greenfield cross for her second try of the afternoon, Wilson converted with a curling kick for 16-0.
The half ended with a stunning dash from Wilson as she broke through the defence to race over for a try, the score was a special one as Wilson’s afternoon was in danger just a minute earlier after a slip in collecting a Giants kick resulted in a heavy hit but she shook off any worries to cross in style for a 20-0 half time lead.
The wet conditions worsened during the break and the Giants used this to good effect with Frankie Townend finishing off a clever play to cross on the wing in the 44th minute but was unable to convert at 20-4.
Any hopes of a Giants comeback increased within three minutes as a lofted kick from Becky Grady found the run of Ellie Thompson who touched down but Townend again missed the long range attempt at 20-8.
Beth Hayes’ prowess in defence and attack saw a reward in the 54th minute as she powered over for a try which saw Jodie Morris convert to push the lead to 26-8. Huddersfield kept up their hopes as Bethan Oates reduced the deficit to 26-12 with a try just before the hour mark.
Wigan reached 30 points just three minutes later as a rapid attack in the driving rain saw Hayes turn provider with a stunning offload to Anna Davies who stormed over in the corner for 30-12.
Huddersfield had the final say on the score line though as Amelia Brown thundered down the wing and evaded the challenge of Carys Marsh to touch down and Becky Grady took over the kicking duties to convert for 30-18.
Huddersfield Giants: Pippa Curley, Amelia Brown, Erin Stott, Bella Sykes, Albany Coates, Frankie Townend, Becky Grady, Lois Naidole, Ellie Thompson, Olivia Rowe, Bridget Campbell, Sienna McPherson, Bethan Oates.
Interchanges: Amie Walker, Hannah Goddard, Angel Howey, Lucy Burwood.
Tries: Townend (44′), Thompson (48′), Oates (57′), Brown (78′)
Goals: Townend 0/3, Grady /1
Wigan Warriors: Georgia Wilson, Taylor White, Becky Greenfield, Kaitlin Hilton, Anna Davies, Sinead Doria, Carys Marsh, Holly Speakman, Emma Dwyer, Freya Hellin, Mary Coleman, Gabi Leigh, Beth Hayes.
Interchanges: Molly Jones, Kerrie Evans, Jodie Morris, Abbie Singleton.
Tries: Greenfield (5′, 22′), Dwyer (18′), Wilson (38′), Hayes (54′), Davies (63′)
Goals: Wilson 2/4, Morris 1/1
