Huddersfield Giants Women 4 Leeds Rhinos Women 42

Leeds Rhinos Women got back to winning ways with a convincing win over Huddersfield Giants a Laund Hill.  Forsell made five changes to the team with injuries for Bethan Dainton, Beth Lockwood, Evie Cousins, Grace Field and Ruby Enright meaning the Rhinos coach could reshuffle her starting line up, with Sophie Robinson and Jenna Greening coming into the side.

Early pressure from the Rhinos saw them come close to getting an early score, with Amy Hardcastle looking like she had sent Sophie Robinson away in the corner, but the winger was pushed into touch by the home side.

Keara Bennet was held up over the line before Ella Donnelly used her strength to hold off her defenders and stretch out to get the ball over the line next to the posts for the first try of the game.  Bennett adding the extras.

The Rhinos kept up the pressure on the Giants line and were eventually rewarded when great work from Amy Hardcastle saw her power through to go over in the corner.  Bennett’s conversion attempt falling short.

The Giants had to work hard in defence and a big tackle from centre Ana Da Silva forced a turnover for the homeside.

Leeds still looked in control though and on 17 minutes they were in again when Zoe Hornby out muscled her tacklers to get the ball over the line from close range.  Bennett adding the extras.

A brilliant break from Shona Hoyle then set up the Rhinos for their fourth try.  After the second rower looked like she was going to go all the way, she offloaded to the supporting Izzy Northrop who raced clear for a try. Bennett successfully adding her third conversion of the game.

The home side kept battling hard and were rewarded when Amelia Brown outjumped her defender to collect the ball and stretch out to get the ball down for her team’s first try of the game.  Former Rhinos player Frankie Townend though was unable to add the conversion.

Good attacking play then created an overlap for the Rhinos, which allowed Sophie Robinson to find space to break down the wing and go over in the corner.  This time Bennett was unable to add the conversion and the teams went in at the break with Leeds having a 26-4 lead.

Both teams made a slow start to the second half and it wasn’t until the 57^th minute that the Rhinos were back on the scoreboard. After a good chance from Lucy Murray was held up over the line, which resulted in an injury for the second rower, Leeds kept up the momentum with play switching across the field and Hanna Butcher sending Elychia Watson away to crash over for her first try of the season.

Minutes later Shona Hoyle found space to go clear under the posts and Bennett landed the conversion.  Leeds wrapped up the win when Caitlin Beevers sent Northrop over for her second try of the game against her former club and Butcher added the conversion.