Leeds Rhinos 38 Huddersfield Giants 18

By Sam Brocksom

Leeds Rhinos Women are through to the Semi-Finals of the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup after a 38-18 victory over Huddersfield Giants Women at AMT Headingley Stadium. 

Eight different try scorers crossed on the afternoon, in what was Lois Forsell’s first game back in charge after returning from maternity leave.

The Rhinos got off to a swift start. Ebony Stead scored in the first set of the game. The full back broke the line on halfway, and rounded her opposite number to score. Mel Howard was successful with the conversion and after less than two minutes, the Rhinos led 6-0.

Leeds added two further tries, through Sophie Nuttall and Shannon Lacey. The former crossed on the left edge as the Rhinos went down the blind side, before Lacey forced her way over from close range. Howard was unable to convert four to six and with just under 20 minutes played, Leeds’ advantage increased to 14.

A try for both sides rounded off the first half action. First, Huddersfield crossed from close range through Grace Houghton-Burnett after forcing a Leeds error. Olivia Whitehead scored the final points of the half as Leeds spread the ball right for the winger to cross in the corner. At the break, the Rhinos led 18-6. 

Despite errors from both teams, it was the home side who capitalised on their opponents' mistakes. Howard finished off a brilliant team try that saw Leeds go 80 metres to score, before Lucy Murray and Ruby Bruce put an end to any chance of a Giants comeback. With 15 minutes left on the clock, Leeds led 34-6.

The Giants would add another to the scoreboard, with loose forward Bethan Oates breaking the line and racing 30 metres to score. Sam Hulme added the extras, but it was too little too late for Lori Halloran’s side. 

The Rhinos were not done yet as their final try went to Grace Short, who powered her way over the Giants defender to further their advantage.
Whilst it wasn’t Huddersfield’s day, they left their fans with something to cheer as Eva Izumi caught an interception and raced the length of the field to score on the final play of the game. Hulme converted the try, and whilst the deficit was decreased, it would be the Rhinos who ran out 38-18 victors.

Leeds: Stead, Whitehead Greening, Boyd, Nuttall, Howard, Walker, Northrop, Bennett, Sykes, Lacey, Murray, Dainton. Subs: Bruce, Donnelly, Glynn, Short.

Tries: Stead (1), Nuttall (12), Lacey (19), Whitehead (34), Howard (52), Murray (59), Bruce (62), Short (72).
Goals: Howard 3/8