By Sam Brocksom

Leeds Rhinos Women top their Betfred Challenge Cup group after making it three wins from three today against Huddersfield Giants.

The Rhinos were 54-10 victors after a hat trick from Tara Moxon and a brace from Bethan Dainton helped Lois Forsell’s side to a dominant display.

Amy Hardcastle and Kaiya Glynn made their return to the side whilst Tilly-Jae Brown made her first appearance of the season from the bench. 

The Rhinos started strongly once again after tries from Izzy Northrop and Zoe Hornby gave Leeds an 12-0 lead after 20 minutes. Northrop made a break and raced 30 metres to score whilst Hornby crashed over from short range. Ruby Enright was successful from the boot with both.

Lucy Murray and Amy Hardcastle were next on the scoresheet, both scoring on the right edge after finding an overlap. Murray’s score was converted by Enright but the wind took Hardcastle’s conversion wide. Half an hour gone, and the Rhinos led 22-0. 

Tara Moxon got the Rhinos final try of the half after finding a gap on the left edge thanks to a cut out ball from Casey. That was the first try of three for the PNG international this afternoon. Again the wind got the better of Enright’s kick and the conversion was missed.

The final points of the first half came from Giants winger Amelia Brown, who capitalised on some instinctive play from Frankie Townend. The halfback produced a short kick and the ball wasn’t dealt with by Leeds, Brown was first to react before racing away to score. She showed some great footwork beating two defenders on her way to the line. Townend was successful with the kick leaving the half time scores 26-6.

Three tries from Leeds in the first ten minutes of the second half swept away the visitors. First, Caitlin Casey linked up with Shona Hoyle to put the second rower over to break the second half deadlock.

Tara Moxon then capitalised on a great break from Enright, who got close to the line before the winger picked up the play the ball to go over for her second.

Bethan Dainton then crossed for her first of the afternoon after racing away 40 metres to cross under the posts. Enright converted two from the three and the Rhinos led 42-6.

A try from Liv Whitehead and Moxon’s hat try score swiftly followed as the home side never took their foot of the gas. The ball was shifted right to the youngster who went over for her second try of the season. Moxon’s third try was similar to her wing partner’s, only the opposite side of the pitch. Again an overlap was created and she raced down the left to seal the hat-trick. Enright was unsuccessful with both conversion so the scores read 50-6 with an hour gone.

Bethan Dainton was the final scorer for the Rhinos. Similar to her first try, the loose forward broke the line 40 metres out and raced away to seal the victory. Enright couldn’t convert.

Again, the final points of the half went to the Giants who crossed through Brown once more. The away side found an overlap on the right edge for the winger to cross for her brace. Townend couldn’t convert leaving the final score 54-10.

Leeds:

Enright, Moxon, Hardcastle, McMillan, Whitehead, Butcher, Casey, Hornby, Cudjoe, Northrop, Murray, Hoyle, Dainton. Subs: Donnelly, Field, Glynn, Brown.

Tries: Moxon x3, Dainton x2, Northrop, Hornby, Murray, Hardcastle, Hoyle, Whitehead.

Goals: Enright: 5/11