Hull FC Women fell to a 32-20 Derby Day defeat at Craven Park despite a brave second-half fightback.
Braces from both Alyx Worth and Abby Price weren’t enough to overcome Rovers as the Black & Whites put in a much-improved display to begin the second half of the season.
Team News
Hull were bolstered by the return of numerous players including scrum-half Holly Cole as she made her return to Craven Park since her cross-city move at the start of the season.
The Airlie Birds also brought Amelia Beech, Saffron Jones and Kerrie Dearing back into the side whilst Megan Overfield made her first appearance in 2023.
The visitors were also without numerous players which included regular starters Izzy Smith, Fern Dyer and co-captain Ruby Magson.
The Match
Hull began the match on the front foot as Poppy Lyon came close to touching down in the opening minutes after Hull KR were unable to collect the kick-off.
The visitors defence also proved strong for the opening quarter as they denied both Demi Thomas and Amy Nolan despite numerous penalties on the FC line.
However, the Robins claimed the first try of the match thanks to Kayleigh Bulman-Hook but their lead didn’t last long as a brilliant intercept from Alyx Worth brought the sides level just minutes later.
The next twenty minutes went the way of the home side as Rovers capitalised on Hull errors leading to tries from Casey Lawson, Bulman-Hook and Ebony Oaten-Powdrill.
Despite this Hull FC had the last laugh in the first half as co-captain Abby Price crossed over in the corner just before half-time to lower the deficit to just 10 points.
Half-Time: Hull KR Women 20-10 Hull FC Women
The visitors began the second-half the way they ended the first as Worth completed her brace in the opening minutes after Price forced an KR error over the half-way line.
Hull maintained pressure for the next twenty minutes as Price crossed over for her second of the game after she made a break from the scrum.
Price’s successful conversion attempt brought to end an impressive fight-back from FC as the scores were level at twenty-a-piece going into the final quarter.
However, it wasn’t to be for the FC side as two tries from Lawson and Bulman-Hook in quick succession brought to end the hopes of a golden-point contest.
Full-Time: Hull KR Women 32-20 Hull FC Women
Teams
Hull KR Women: Clara Nolan, Ruby Marritt, Sophie Banks, Demi Thomas, Amy Nolan, Ebony Oaten-Powdrill, Abbie Kudla, Bethany Rushmer, Kayleigh Bulman-Hook, Casey Lawson, Narelle Hall, Madison Kendall, Aaliyah Brewster
Interchanges: Shannon Ostler, Holliday, Paige Cooper, Hannah Byrom, Leanne Baggley, Niamh Mullins, Leah Ward
Hull FC Women: Abbi Turner, Poppy Lyon, Joanna Lamb, Lauren Sutton, Alyx Worth, Jade Key, Holly Cole, Tilly Stuart, Kacey Sexton, Tia Hodgins, Megan Overfield, Nat Romano, Abby Price
Interchanges: Alisha Roper, Saffron Jones, Emilie Brocklebank, Amelia Beech, Kerrie Dearing
Scorers
Hull KR Tries: Kayleigh Bulman-Hook (17, 33, 68), Casey Lawson (24, 65), Ebony Oaten-Powdrill (37)
Hull KR Goals: Demi Thomas (4/6)
Hull FC Tries: Alyx Worth (21, 44), Abby Price (39, 62)
Hull FC Goals: Abby Price (2/4)
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