Huddersfield Giants 20-24 York Valkyrie: Match Report

York Valkyrie moved up to third in the Betfred Women’s Super League table with a gutsy win over Huddersfield Giants at Laund Hill.

In a game that could have gone either way, a late try from Sinead Peach was enough to secure the win for York Valkyrie.

Lindsey Anfield’s side clocked up a 14 point lead going into half time, before a second half Giants comeback saw Huddersfield go ahead with just over 5 minutes to go.

Some late Valkyrie pressure was too much for the Giants however, as Sinead Peach scored under the posts to secure the win for York.

Despite some early Huddersfield attack, York struck first, going ahead through Tamzin Renouf after 3 minutes, with Ellie Williamson converting.

York furthered their lead in the 19th minute through Zoe Hornby, who made the most of some good field position following a goal line drop out, crossing over the whitewash with a strong drive to the line. Williamson once again added the conversion in front of the posts.

Jas Bell also got in on the action shortly after, exploiting a gap in the middle of the Giants defence to score under the posts. Ellie Williamson converted yet again to go 3/3.

York went over again in the same spot just moments later through Marshall, but the try was disallowed due to a forward pass during the build up.

Huddersfield got a try back in the 34th minute, with full back Amelia Brown acrobatically diving over to score in the left corner to score. The following conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving York with a 14 point lead going into half-time.

After a good start to the game for York, it was the Giants who got off on the front foot in the second half. Three minutes in, Amy Bennett broke through a gap in the middle of the Valkyrie defence to set up Bethan Oates for the try, which was also converted.

York responded by making some good yardage, getting to within ten metres of the line. 

Missed passes cost the Valkyrie however, as Huddersfield regained possession and worked the ball up to the other end of the field. 

Mollie Iceton found some space on the left edge for the home side, and set up Fran Copley for the try, which was also converted, narrowing the gap to just 2 points.

As the clock hit the hour mark, the Giants took the lead for the first time, with Brown going over the line from close range following a short offload, getting her second try of the day.

Despite consistent Valkyrie pressure in the final twenty minutes, the Giants defence managed to hold strong, and it was looking as Huddersfield were about to secure their first ever win against York.

The final Valkyrie onslaught was too much for the Giants in the end however, as Sinead Peach latched on the end of a short kick to ground under the sticks, giving York a 22-20 lead with just under five minutes to go. 

The conversion was also added by Marshall, and York Valkyrie held on to claim a hard fought 24-20 win.

Huddersfield: Brown, Davies, Naidole, Copley, Iceton, Grady, Hulme, Hobbs, Preston, Harrap, Bennett, Hutchinson, Oates

Subs: Wilkinson, Burnett, Taylor, Thompson

18th Player: Izumi

Tries: Brown (34, 60), Oates (43), Copley (56), 

Goals: Hulme (3/5) 

York: Partington, Bibby, Parker, Moxon, Kershaw, Dagger, Williamson, Wood, Peach, Hornby, Andrade, Renouf, Bell

Subs: Marshall, Brennan, McDaid, Exley

18th Player: Sexton

Tries: Renouf (3), Hornby (19), Bell (24), Peach (77)

Goals: Williamson (3/3), Marshall (1/1)

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