Centre Kayleigh Waller was the star of the show as the Black & Whites’ Women’s side begun their 2021 Championship campaign with a convincing 36-16 victory over Widnes Vikings.
Hull scored eight tries in a dominant performance at Hull University to open the new season with two points.
It’s over a year since the Women’s side took to the field, with the 2020 campaign cancelled because of the pandemic, but a strong start to the new season will boost confidence amongst the group as they look to go one better than their efforts in 2019 when they reached the play-off Grand Final.
Hull opened their account for the afternoon through Waller, with the first of her trio of scores, before fellow centre Hannah McConaughy got herself over the try-line for quick back-to-back tries in the opening stages, finishing off a quick move down the blind side.
Loose-forward Ruby Magson crashed over from ten metres out for Hull’s third, with the converted goal seeing Hull into a 14-0 lead.
Influential hooker Jade Key got her name on the scoresheet taking a late offload and racing away from 30 metres out to touch down, and FC were 20-0 up.
Waller grabbed her second as she collected a cross-field kick and danced her way over the try-line once again, before powerful prop Cassy Lawson had too much strength to power over from close range and extend the hosts’ lead.
Hull would be 28-0 up and have the win already effectively sealed before the visitors hit back in the closing stages with two quick tries, but Sam French’s side were soon on hand to rub salt into the Viking’s wounds as a short-side play saw winger touch down from a tap penalty close to the Widnes line.
Widnes managed to cross for a third before the hooter, but it would be Hull who took the points – there was still time for Waller to finish off a memorable hat-trick though, crossing with the final play of the game.
Full-Time: Hull FC 36-16 Widnes Vikings
Hull FC Squad: Baggley, Needham, McConaughy (1), Waller (3), Thomas (1), Romano, Waters, C.Lawson (1), Key (1), Sidwell, L. Lawson, Ayre, Magson (1).
Interchange: Sutton, Richardson, Parkin, Shore, Harrison.
Next Up: Oulton Raidettes (H) / Sunday 16th May
Check out some of the best shots from the match below:
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