On Sunday Hunslet Warrior Ladies played host to East Leeds Ladettes with both teams doing well in their last games it was expected to be a really good match up.
East Leeds opted to kick off and straight away Hunslet mounted their attack, playing up the middle, East Leeds found themselves off side. Hunslet pushed further towards the East Leeds try line. Hunslet pressed again, completing the set and put a good kick in.
East Leeds brought the ball away, but only managed 3 drives before they lost the ball to a knock on. Hunslet smelling blood attacked, but once more East Leeds galvanised their defence. Again and again Hunslet pushed and probed at the defensive line, but East Leeds stood firm. 5 consecutive sets and the East Leeds line didn’t falter.
Once they had weathered the initial storm East Leeds seemed to gain in confidence. The plays weren’t rushed and they made easy ground against the Hunslet defence. For 20 minutes the game was an arm wrestle played in the centre of the pitch.
Then it was Hunslet’s time to scramble defence, East Leeds came at the Hunslet line only to lose possession a few yards out. Hunslet tried to push out of their 20, but found themselves tackled into touch and once again gave East Leeds the ball close to the line. This time East Leeds turned the screw, first driving in with forwards before managing to cross the line for the first score with Aimee Holroyd. Conversion was successful. Score 0-6
With East Leeds still full of adrenaline they soon found themselves again in the Hunslet 20 yard. Hunslet struggling to get any momentum soon conceded another try. (This time by Shanelle Mannion.) Conversion this time was wide. Score 0-10
The game then became a real war, with both sides trying to take control. A lot of silly penalties saw the ball handing over several times. From one of these penalties East Leeds attacked, good ball work saw Aimee Holroyd cross for her 2nd of the game. Conversion missed. Score 0-14
Just before half time Hunslet suffered a real blow when the winger Jade Bond took a hard tackle that saw both her collar bones break.
2nd half.
Hunslet didn’t start well giving away a penalty at the kick off for being offside.
Gail Johnson touches down (Photo: Ainsley Bennett)
East Leeds completed the set and got to kick, which Hunslet returned. The penalty count was mounting and Hunslet once again saw themselves with 3 consecutive sets which marched them down the pitch but failed to see them score. Then good work from the Hunslet pack saw them on the East Leeds try line. With a short scoot Gail Johnson crossed in the corner. At last Hunslet were on the score board. Conversion missed. Score 4-14
With both teams tiring and adrenaline the only thing keeping most players going you sensed the game could go either way. Both teams looked capable of more tries and East Leeds were first to capitalise. Kath Redpath went over for East Leeds 4th. Conversion successful Score 4-20
Hunslet were far from done though, again the pack played a formidable role in the attack. Before giving it to the backs who put Chloe Brown over for Hunslet’s 2nd try. Conversion missed. Score 8-20
Minutes ticked by and Hunslet couldn’t break East Leeds down anymore. The final whistle went and another epic battle was over.
Both teams left nothing on that pitch, and gave it all in the game. It was a fantastic display of women’s rugby league.
Hunslet Player of the Match: Cheryl Armitage
East Leeds Player of the Match: Nyasha Maponga
We at 4TLOS send our best wishes to Hunslet’s Jade Bond and wish her a speedy recovery.
Report courtesy of WRLA
