By Ellie Indie
Amelia Brown scored two second half tries as Huddersfield Giants Women drew 16-16 with St Helens at Laund Hill to remain unbeaten in pre-season.
The brace of tries earned the exciting Giants winger the Player of the Match award.
Saints struck inside the first five minutes via Luci McColm with Amy Taylor’s conversion putting them six points ahead.
There were errors aplenty in the passage that followed and inspiring breaks from the Giants weren’t built on.
Frankie Townend’s dangerous kick in the corner proved too challenging for the young Saints, who gave the Giants another set just 10 metres away from the line.
Lois Naidole along the right edge crashed over the line as St Helens were unable to keep up with the powering centre. Townend provided the equaliser, setting scores 6-6 going into half-time.
St Helens took the lead once more in the game as Zoe Harris darted through for the first four points of the second half. Academy graduate Taylor provided the kick to put Saints up 6-12.
That was when Brown stamped her class on the game, making two trademark sprints down the edge whilst dismissing desperate defence. Hannah Roberts’ unconverted try split Brown’s dazzling double.
The 16-16 draw means that head coach Lori Halloran’s Giants finish their pre-season campaign unbeaten.
All eyes now turn to their next fixture on Saturday March 16 at the John Smith’s Stadium – a Giants-Hull KR men’s and women’s double header.
The women face off in the Challenge Cup at 12noon while the men go head-to-head in Super League at 3pm.
Giants Women: Amy Bennett, Becky Grady, Ana Da Silva, Lois Naidole, Frankie Townend, Sam Hulme, Paige Webster, Bethan Oates, Emma Wilkinson, Jess Harrap, Kacy Haley, Katy Fisher.
Image by: Steve Biltcliffe