Hull RFC Ladies ( 0 ) v Manchester Ladies ( 44)

Manchester were hoping to continue their excellent form at Altrincham in their away fixture at Hull RFC.

The visitors arrived with only 15 players following some late withdrawls. The match was played on a very good playing surface on a dry mild day.

From the kick off Manchester attacked the Hull defence with waves of handling and rucking moves that eventually resulted in a number of excellent, well worked tries by Hattie Gaunt (1) Jane Towey (2) and Lottie (2).

Unfortunately after 10 minutes into the game Manchester were reduced to 14 players, with the loss of their influential scrum half/kicker ( Shannon Bailey ) with a serious knee injury. The loss of a key player seem to galvanise the Manchester side. Jane Towey took over the kicking duties and converted two of the tries scored in the first half, taking the half time score to 29-0 to the visitors.

Manchester with a reduced team continued to pressurise the Hull defence from the kick off for the second half and they added 3 further tries ( unconverted ) through the excellent running and elusiveness of Lottie.

Lottie was unfortunate to receive a serious ankle injury ( later confirmed as a break ), shortly after scoring her fifth (5) try of the match, to take the score to 44-0 to Manchester.

The final score was 44-0 to a rampant Manchester side. The result had proved to be costly with the loss of two members of a very good side.

All of the team played extremely well and quickly adapted to the early loss of their scrum half, with Hattie Gaunt switching to scrum half and Pam Hallworth taking over the No 10 position.These changes were made without any change in the intensity of Manchester’s attacking/defensive performances.

To produce two successive outstanding performances away from home is a tremendous complement to the efforts/abilities/fitness and commitment of the whole squad of players.

The Hull team contributed to an excellent open game, played in a good spirit and never gave up in their efforts to contain Manchester’s continuous attacks.

Our hosts provided excellent hospitality after the game with a very good after match spread.