Three Hatricks Lead Selby Ladies to Bruising Victory Over Huddersfield

A glorious day saw Selby walk onto the Huddersfield pitch in vastly different conditions seen from previous games. Whilst the playing field, having been under water 7 days before, was a little soft, the sun shone and the calming conditions were, indeed, very welcome.

Under the watchful eye of the magnificent Lockwood viaduct, the 7’s game began with haste setting the tone for the whole game, speed and precision being the key words.

Two minutes in, Tanya Whitby punched her way through the defence for Selby’s first try, followed minutes later by Selby’s captain, Honor Ratcliffe, for her first of three. However, the balance of power quickly shifted back to Huddersfield, as they took control to score down the right wing.

Selby saw red and the retaliation began in devastating fashion for Huddersfield. In the next 5 minutes, tries were scored for Selby by Lauren Barker, skipping through the defence straight from kick off. Tanya, who scored her second. Sadie Hunt, who scored her first of three down the wing and Honor finding the try line once again for her second.

Huddersfield were battling hard against injuries and took full advantage of possession when they had it. They managed to pull one back. Yet, Selby kept composure and with textbook tackles, kept the home team at bay. A short ball from Alice Thomas sent Honor on her way to get her hattrick of the game. Meganne Birch, added to the score with a brilliant solo effort through the middle without a finger laid on her to extend Selby’s lead 40 – 10.

Half time was creeping up and Selby had a quota to hit to which Jemma Fieldsend happily contributed towards. Furious runs from two centre passes, saw her charging through startled Huddersfield defenders, literally shaking them off to go on to score the next two tries.

Georgia Smith, receiving a quick offload from Lauren, powered her way down the centre for her first try and Abi Bonnett took us into half time with a dance around the defence that Strictly Come Dancing would have been proud of to score her first. Score at half time was 60 – 20.

Selby raised their game to an even higher level after the break and as they barged their way through the tiring defence. Sadie’s sheer speed found the next two tries for her hattrick and Jemma joined the popular club with her third. A clever finish from Georgia saw another for Selby.

It was the tough and resilient home team, Huddersfield, that scored the last try of the game, but by the time they had breached Selby’s defence, the game was all but over as a contest. Final score, Selby 80 – 25 Huddersfield.

Selby are at home for their next two matches against Halifax and Hemsworth.