by Greg Nixon
WARRINGTON Wolves ran in 22 unanswered points either side of half time to seal a hard fought 26-20 victory over the Huddersfield Giants in the Women’s Super League One.
The visitors had worked their way into a 12-0 lead with just minutes left of the first half thanks to the first of three tries for Amelia Brown and Amy Bennett but Wire stand off Michelle Davis sparked the come back on the stroke of half time.
The Giants, who are yet to register a league point this season, more than held their own for the first half an hour and, inspired by Grace Arrowsmith – on loan from St Helens – could have opened the scoring earlier with better handling.
After a cagey opening 10 minutes, Wire began to assert control with Davis and centre Emily Tandy both held up over the line before the home side conceded.
Despite strong runs from Abi Latchford, Kacy Hayley and teenager Shannon Stephens, poor handling and discipline let Warrington down with the try line begging and there was an air of inevitability when Huddersfield opened the scoring on the half hour.
Warrington lost the ball in the Giants half and a sweeping move saw Brown cross in the corner. Ellie Thompson’s superb touchline conversion made it 6-0.
Moment later, a high kick was fumbled by young Wire winger Rebecca Nixon and Bennett pounced on the lose ball to extend the Giants lead. Bethan Oates took over the kicking duties to make it 12-0.
A great restart saw the Giants let the ball-to-ball bounce into touch and, after a weaving cross field run by winger Abi Johnston, Davis touched down then converted to keep Wire in touch at the break.
The Wolves started the second half with a higher intensity that paid off when Charlize Magraw followed up her own grubber kick to score on 43 minutes. Davis missed the kick but the Wire were in front moments later when winger Johnston intercepted inside her own half and outpaced the cover defence to give Warrington the lead for the first time. A superb touchline conversion from Davis edged Warrington further in front at 16-12.
Any chance of a quick response from the visitors was jeopardised by the sinbinning of Lois Naidole for hitting Magraw off the ball and Warrington took full advantage with Stephens powering over for a converted try.
Brown’s second and third try either side of another Johnston effort gave the visitors hope of snatching at least a point but strong Warrington defence on their line secured the win.
Abi Latchford
18 Shannon Stephens
2 Abigail Johnston
27 Chloe Kerrigan
30 Emily Tandy
28 Rebecca Nixon
1. Michelle Davies
7 Charlize Magraw
15 Emily Downes
14 Grace Ramsden
22 Claire Mullaney
12 Kacy Hayley
18 Georgia Westwood
24 Abigail Latchford
Subs
26 Amy Boardman
23 Jenna Friery
29 Nicole Barnett
25 Kim Seddon
18th player: 11 Katie May Williams
19th player: Danielle Bound
