Hull FC lost out in Golden Point in the first ever Women’s Hull Derby in an entertaining clash at Sewell Group Craven Park.
The young Black & Whites team, which featured six of the club’s Under 16s players took the match to Golden Point thanks to a last minute length of the field effort from Laura Anderson, but the Robins advanced in the League Cup after a try in the second period of Golden Point.
The match was played in front of approximately 500 fans in East Hull on a historic weekend for Rugby League in the city, which also featured the first Wheelchair Challenge Cup festival and an LDSL festival to kick off Hull&Proud Week.
The Match
Hull KR had the better of a first-half plagued by stoppages and injuries, but were unable to turn their pressure and territory into a substantial lead, going in just four points to the good at half time.
After an early injury to full-back Isobelle Smith that forced her from the field, Hull coughed up cheap possession from a scrum, with Robins half back Abbie Kudla skirting round the Hull defence to score out wide.
Hull grew into the contest as the half went on, with Ruby Magson hauled down inches short of the line afrer back to back sets, but that was about as good the half got for the Black & Whites.
Half Time: Hull KR 4 – 0 Hull FC
The Robins continued where they left off at the second-half, scoring through dominant prop Lois Brown shortly after the restart.
However, Hull then fired into life, opening their account through centre Demi Thomas who burst through a hole in the Robins defence on the right side from Leanne Baggley’s neat pass.
Hull further reduced the deficit when they produced a smart short side play on the last tackle, dummy half Jade Key feeding the ball to Ruby Magson one on one to score.
Hull KR rode out Hull’s ascendancy and worked their way upfield, winning a couple of penalties whilst camped on Hull’s line and turned that territory into points with Brown crossing for her second of the afternoon.
With what turned out to be the final play of regular time Hull scored a length of the field try through Laura Anderson. From deep in Hull’s territory Anderson took a carry and broke through a tackle before she left the Robins chasers in her wake to score underneath the posts. Demi Thomas levelled the scores from the tee with her first conversion of the afternoon to take the entertaining tie to Golden Point.
After Hull defended their line for much of the Golden Point period the Robins finally made their territory tell, squeezing over in the corner through Maddison Kendall to win the first ever Women’s Hull Derby.
Full Time: Hull KR 18 – 14 Hull FC
The Lineups
Hull KR: Carla Nolan, Chloe Lound, Sophie Banks, Madison Kendall, Niamh Mullins, Aaliyah Brewster, Abbie Kudla, Nikola Kubus, Narelle Hall, Lois Brown, Stacey Harrison, Honey Greaves, Jess Sharp.
Interchange: Georgia Skibowski, Leah Ward, Shannon Ostler, Wendie McKie
Hull FC: Isobelle Smith, Connie Thomas, Isabelle Brown, Demi Thomas, Laura Anderson, Harmston Turner, Leanne Baggley, Tilly Stuart, Helen Needham, Ruby Magson, Megan Parker, Jessica Brookman, Bethan Candlin.
Interchange: Fern Dyer Poppy Howdle, Alex Parkin, Jade Key, Joanna Lamb, Katherine Rundell, Emily Willby
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