Evie Sexton starred with five tries to help Hull FC Women to a 26-18 victory in the League One Grand Final against Fryston Warriors.
The teenager secured a first-half hat-trick to give Hull the impetus at the break, leading 18-4.
A Fryston fight back early in the second-half brought the game back to within six points, but Sexton soared again, scoring twice more to give Hull FC Women the League One title.
Team News
Head Coach Jack Coates had more or less a full complement to choose from. Centre Lauren Sutton returned from a knee injury that kept her sidelined for almost the duration of the season to take her place on the interchange bench.
Back rower Evie Sexton, who has spent time with Super League winners York Valkyrie on dual-registration lined up in the back row alongside her sister Kacey, whilst captain Charlie Lawson started at centre for the Black & Whites.
The Match
Fryston took an early lead, thanks to an early penalty that was awarded, meaning Hull were forced to defend deep inside their own territory. Once in goodball, the Warriors showed good skill to move the ball out wide, and Alice Pye cut back on the inside and managed to ground the ball despite the attention of the covering Hull defenders.
It didn’t take long for Hull to start asking questions of their own. Ruby Ellis made a break through the centre of the field, before Poppy Lyon was held up a couple of plays later.
The Black & Whites earned a drop out on the last play of the set, as Ellis’ kick wasn’t dealt with by the West Yorkshire side, and pressure turned into points, as Evie Sexton scored her 34th try of the season, barging over the line from close range. Abby Price’s conversion gave Hull the lead for the first time.
Hull went back to back, winning a penalty late in the kick-off set, and again, Sexton received a drop off close to the line and was too strong for the Warriors defence, Abby Price’s simple conversion extending the lead to 8 points.
After Hull’s quickfire brace Fryston grew into the game, tilting the field position in their favour. Hull’s defence held firm, forcing a knock on over the goal line as the Warriors looked to reduce the deficit.
With less than five minutes to go before halftime, Sexton completed her hat-trick. Abby Price made a break down Hull’s right, and Hull had the quality to make that count. Price kicked on the last, and the ball bounced perfectly for Sexton to reach out and score her third of the game.
Half-Time: Hull FC 18-4 Fryston Warriors
Fryston started the second-half much the stronger of the sides, Hull struggling to get out of their own half in the opening stages, with their discipline continuing to allow the Warriors back into the game with a succession of penalties and six against.
With ten minutes on the clock in the second-half, that proved too much for the Black & Whites. Simple hands to Hull’s right resulted in Kaitlyn Prycroft barging over from close range to reduce Hull’s lead to ten.
This time, Fryston went back to back, a great kick in behind Hull’s right edge forcing a goal line drop out.
The Warriors made a break on the first tackle, and on the second, loose forward Tilly Jae Brown spinning out of a tackle to score, Lillie Grace Sutton’s third missed conversion of the afternoon keeping Hull a converted score to the good.
After those back to back tries, Hull grew back into the game, and a strong carry in yardage that led to a break from Nyah May relieved some pressure for the Black & Whites, and they managed the set well, getting a quick play the ball and giving early ball to Evie Sexton to cross for her fourth of the afternoon from 30 meters out.
Sexton’s remarkable afternoon continued, as she scored her fifth try to seal victory for the Black & Whites.
She received a short pass from Ruby Ellis, and there was only to be one outcome as she stepped her way through the Fryston defence and reach out to score.
The Warriors reduced Hull’s lead with around two minutes left on the clock, as Kirsty Higo managed to wrestle free in goal when she looked to have been held up over the line, but that was to prove to be nothing more than a consolation, as Hull held on for victory.
Full-Time: Hull FC 26-18 Fryston Warriors
The Line-Ups
Hull FC Women: Izzy Smith, Alyx Worth, Maddie Smith, Charlie Lawson, Poppy Lyon, Ruby Ellis, Abby Price, Nat Romano, Jade Key, Alex Parkin, Kacey Sexton, Evie Sexton, Kacey Waller | Rebecca Cowling, Chloe James, Nyah May, Alisha Roper, Georgia Smith, Lauren Sutton, Abbi Turner
Fryston Warriors Women: Kaitlyn Prycroft, Jessica Lee, Isabella Naylor, Mataya Dale, Alice Pye, Ellena Powell, Lillie Grace Sutton, Millen Downs, Laura Snowdon, Molly Downham, Leah North, Lacey Sefton-Appleyard, Tilly Jae Brown | Skye Robinson, Kirsty Higo, Emma Milner, Marnie Wrigley, Evie Gray, Tilli Mitchell, Sophia Liu
The Scorers
Hull FC Tries: Evie Sexton (12, 17, 35, 63, 70)
Hull FC Goals: Abby Price (2/3), Kayleigh Waller (1/2)
Fryston Warriors Tries: Alice Pye (7), Kaitlyn Prycroft (50), Tilly Jae Brown (54), Kirsty Higo (78)
Fryston Warriors Goals: Lillie Grace Sutton (1/4)
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