Hull travelled to Selby for their latest fixture in a determined mood having suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of a travelling Lancashire side two weeks earlier. This was going to be no easy feat with their last meeting ending in a draw. Selby are a well established side with a long history of girls rugby and had invited Thorne/Wheatley to join them and boost the dynamic of their team.
As expected, the game started off evenly with Selby wanting to play their favourite backs game. They are so strong in this respect but Ionians have been working on their line speed which worked in their favour as it didn’t give Selby the time or space to put the usual game plan into play and with Hull backs having pace to match, this was going to be hard fought match.
A try soon came from the Hull forwards doing what they are becoming renowned for, driving at the line, battering the opposition before a player peels off to find the gap, on this occasion hooker for the day Bethan Candlin opening the score line.
This was a close game but Hull’s fly half Alex Hawcutt was not messing about, giving an absolute brilliant display throughout. She read the game so well, moving the ball about to the frustration of Selby. Hawcutt ran at the opposing side time and again proving she is hard to handle, Selby just did not have an answer for her and were further frustrated when ex-Selby player Poppy Howdle scored before half time.
The second half moved to a forwards game with Hull taking more control. Centre Kaya Acton coming into the pack due to injury, really enjoyed herself being able to peel off and attack the opposition. Selby groaned when another ex-Selby player Ruby Wiggins went over for the third try. Hull started to enjoy themselves, Candlin ran riot down the middle with some lovely offloads, Acton ran in a classic Acton try at pace, Hawcutt kept the Selby side guessing and the forwards were unstoppable, winning scrum after scrum, Captain Rachel Hobson leading by not what I say but what I do and clattering the Selby pack with her strength and skill. Two further tries came from Aimee Owen and Liam Bell ending the game for a jubilant Hull.
Try Scorers: B Candlin, P Howdle, R Wiggins, K Acton, A Owen, L Bell
Player of the Match: Bethan Candlin
Hull Ionians U18 Girls next home game is on 21st November 2021 in the National Cup against Sandal RUFC. If you fancy playing rugby but would like to see what it is about first, come and watch. For information about kick off times or to give a training session a go, please contact Marie Frayne on 07903 766782.
