It did not take long for the Saints to go ahead. During our first set of the game we kicked early in the tackle count and the ball found space, Amy Hardcastle won the race to the loose ball to give us a second minute lead. Zoe Harris’ conversion attempt went wide, 4-0 Saints led.
Saints’ second try came just over ten minutes later. Saints had numbers down their short side and Hardcastle fed Leah Burke to go over in the corner. Harris was unable to convert, 8-0. A few minutes later the hosts were in again. This time a kick to the Giants in-goal area wasn’t dealt with and that allowed captain Jodie Cunningham to put the ball down and score. Harris converted, 14-0.
A former Giant then added her name to the scorers list. Shona Hoyle broke through a tackle before rounding the fullback, she was tackled inches short on the try-line but was able to forward role over to ground the ball. Harris was unable to add the two, 18-0.
There was time for two final Saints tries to round out the half. First, Saints broke downfield after a couple of good carries, the ball eventually finding its way to Harris who put Naomi Williams through a gap on a great line to score. Beth Stott took over kicking duties and converted, 24-0.
The final try of the half came after Carrie Roberts got the ball on the right edge, she then cut inside and evaded multiple Giants tackles to fly over to the right of the sticks on the hooter. Stott converted, 30-0 Saints led at the break.
It took Saints just four minutes to begin their second half scoring. Huddersfield won a scrum in the midfield but threw an ambitious pass which Burke intercepted and ran half the length of the pitch to score. Stott converted once again, 36-0.
Saints then capitalised on another Giants error just after the hour mark. Good pressure from Tara Jones forced Huddersfield to kick out on the full and from the restart the ball was worked right and Williams escaped a challenge to score her second try of the game. Stott converted again, 42-0.
Saints’ ninth try of the game came in the 64th minute. Rebecca Rotheram put Hardcastle through a gap from long distance and she wasn’t going to be stopped as she breezed past the Giants fullback to score. Stott converted, 48-0.
From the kick off Saints had another. Saints broke downfield and a couple of carries later the ball was thrown to the right where they had an overlap and that allowed Roberts to go over for her second try of the day. Stott was unable to convert, 52-0.
The final two tries came late on. Firstly, the Giants made an error on their own line and from Saints’ scrum Hardcastle found Burke who crossed for her third of the game. Stott converted, 58-0. There was still time for one final Saints try, Stott made a great kick to Saints left edge and Burke managed to catch and put the ball down for her fourth and our twelfth try of the afternoon. Stott was unable to add the two but it didn’t matter too much as we returned to winning ways with a 58-0 victory over Huddersfield.
Match Summary
Saints Women Team: Rebecca Rotheram, Leah Burke, Carrie Roberts, Amy Hardcastle, Rachael Woosey, Beth Stott, Zoe Harris, Chantelle Crowl, Tara Jones, Isabelle Rudge, Naomi Williams, Emily Rudge, Jodie Cunningham.
Interchanges: Shona Hoyle, Alice Sandham, Darcy Stott, Eboni Partington.
Tries: Amy Hardcastle (2, 64), Leah Burke (13, 44, 76, 78), Jodie Cunningham (21), Shona Hoyle (28), Naomi Williams (32, 61), Carrie Roberts (40, 66)
Conversions: Zoe Harris (1 from 4), Beth Stott (6 from 8)
Huddersfield Giants Women Team: Holly Waddington, Hannah Goddard, Albany Coates, Erin Stott, Amelia Brown, Francesca Townend, Rebekah Grady, Sienna McPherson, Bethan Oates, Amie Walker, Lois Naidole, Ellie Thompson, Isabella Sykes.
Interchanges: Tyla Naidole, Hollie Dhurmea, Cheyney McCarthy, Molly Davidson.
Tries:
Conversions:
HT: 30-0
FT: 62-0