York Valkyrie bounce back in 50-12 hammering of Huddersfield

Emma Kershaw led York’s 10-try rout with a hat-trick, whilst Eboni Partington and debutant Izzy Brennan both notched doubles, alongside further tries from Carrie Roberts, Jess Sharp and Bettie Lambert, as Lindsay Anfield’s side returned to Betfred Women’s Super League action in style.

The Valkyrie held a commanding 32-0 lead at the break but despite seeing their defence breached by Giants pair Gracie Hobbs and Hannah Goddard during the second half, never looked like letting the points slip from their grasp.

Anfield made three changes to the starting 13 that limped out of the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup to St Helens last weekend, handing both Manuqalo Komaitai and Sian Judd debuts, whilst Sharp started at prop, seeing Liv Wood move to replace Jas Bell at loose forward.

Both Georgia Taylor and Lambert returned from their short-term loans at Featherstone Rovers, joined on a new-look bench by Sheffield Eagles youngsters Brennan and Agnes Wood.

Manuqalo Komaitai made her long-awaited Valkyrie debut after injury. (Image: Alan Milner/Milner Creative/York RLFC)

Huddersfield came out of the blocks well and looked set to strike first after the Valkyrie had given away a cheap penalty on the right edge, but Allana Waller was dragged into touch by Partington a fraction short of the whitewash.

Neither side could keep hold of the ball close to the Giants’ line, but a knock-on gifted York the opening score as the ball was worked to Kershaw, who slid over into the right corner with 12 minutes played.

In the absence of regular kicker Tara Jane Stanley, Roberts brilliantly tagged on the extras in the first of five successful attempts.

As the rain began to pour down in West Yorkshire, conditions worsened, with Anfield’s side again having Partington to thank for collecting Frankie Townend’s dangerous kick to the corner after another knock-on.

But it was the Valkyrie who doubled their lead as the half reached its mid-point, as after weathering two consecutive sets on their line, the Giants’ defence parted, allowing Partington to race through into the left corner.

Roberts slotted over the extras and wasted no time in crashing over the whitewash herself into the same corner after Huddersfield had been penalised for a high shot on Sharp, but skewed her conversion short.

Carrie Roberts, in the absence of Tara Jane Stanley, converted half of her 10 attempts. (Image: Alan Milner/Milner Creative/York RLFC)

Kershaw’s second of the afternoon on the half-hour left too awkward an angle for the conversion, but both Brennan’s first for the club, and Sharp’s powerful drive, left the centre with attempts hard to miss as the Valkyrie held a commanding 32-0 lead at the break.

York wasted no time in adding to that after the interval, Kershaw completing her hat-trick with a superb drive less than a minute after the restart.

Roberts could not slot over the conversion, and missed again eight minutes later after Partington surged into the corner with ease for her second of the afternoon.

Huddersfield did though hit back, with Hobbs leaving defenders in her wake to cross on the left edge before Townend converted to bring them onto the board.

Youngster Izzy Brennan scored twice on her Valkyrie debut. (Image: Alan Milner/Milner Creative/York RLFC)

But York’s pursuit of points did not wain.

First, Ireland international Lambert exploited a gap in the Giants’ defence to add her name to the scoresheet on the hour, before debutant Brennan crashed over for a second time with 10 minutes left to play. 

The hosts did however have the last word, Goddard profiting from the momentum gained off the back of a penalty with four minutes remaining.

Townend again converted, but it was nothing more than a consolation for Huddersfield as the Valkyrie moved two points behind leaders Wigan Warriors ahead of next Sunday's clash at home to Warrington Wolves (12pm).

HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS: McGifford, Goddard, Da Silva, Hobbs, Waller, Townend, Tyson, Webster, Oates, Wilkinson, Harrap, Haley, Fisher.

INTERCHANGES: Naidole, Preston, Hampshaw, Thompson.

TRIES: Hobbs (53), Goddard (76)

GOALS: Townend 2/2

YORK VALKYRIE: Judd, Kershaw, Komaitai, Roberts, Partington, Rihari, Eastwood, Sharp, Wilton, Stimpson, Owen, Andrade, Wood.

INTERCHANGES: Taylor, Lambert, Brennan, Wood.

TRIES: Kershaw (12, 30, 40), Partington (23, 48), Roberts (26), Brennan (33, 70), Sharp (39), Lambert (61)

GOALS: Roberts 5/10

HALF TIME: 0-32

POINTS SEQUENCE: 0-4, 0-6, 0-10, 0-12, 0-16, 0-20, 0-24, 0-26, 0-30, 0-32, 0-36, 0-40, 4-40, 6-40, 6-44, 6-46, 6-50, 10-50, 12-50.