York City Knights recorded back-to-back shutout wins to make it five wins from five in the Betfred Women’s Super League, with a 50-0 victory over Huddersfield Giants at the LNER Community Stadium.
Lindsay Anfield’s side headed into the fixture with a perfect record having picked up entertaining wins against the Giants in Round One followed by impressive victories over St Helens, Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors.
The Knights scored a total of ten tries with Tamzin Renouf picking up a hat-trick.
Lacey Owen opened the scoring for the Knights on the 5-minute mark after a magical sidestep from full-back Tara Jane Stanley gave her the platform to pass inside to Owen to touch down and give the Knights a 4-0 lead.
Sinead Peach, who has been one of the Knights’ standout players this season, found herself on the scoresheet in the 21st minute after quick hands saw the hooker go over from short range. Stanley converted her first goal to make it 10-0.
The England international continued her brilliant try-scoring form shortly before the half-hour, making a run on the inside of the Giants’ defence and receiving a pass from Owen before sidestepping past the back line to score. Her conversion added a further two to extend the lead.
Sustained pressure and momentum continued to fall the Knights’ way, with Renouf receiving a pinpoint looping pass from Stanley to touch down in the far corner for her first of three tries as she made it 20-0.
The half-time hooter sounded with Lindsay Anfield’s side holding a twenty-point lead and the damage continued to be done in the second forty.
It took ten minutes for the Knights to open the floodgates in the second half with Hollie Dodd powering her way over the line after making a solo run through the Giants’ defence despite the best efforts of the defence in front of her. Stanley’s conversion to make it 26-0.
Hooker Peach went from try scorer to try assister making a break through the middle and getting the ball to Ash Hyde who touched down to make it 30-0 on the hour.
Renouf picked up her second try of the season with Stanley once again picking up an assist as her and Renouf’s partnership continued to flourish with a kick over into the corner being collected perfectly by the centre who planted the ball down to make it 34-0 after 68 minutes.
Anfield’s side continued to be ruthless in the attacking department as Jasmine Bell got on the scoresheet after making a run on the inside with Dodd managing to get the ball to Bell, who put on the afterburners shrugging off multiple Giants defenders and powering her way over the try line. Stanley converted to make it 40-0 on the 74-minute mark.
After Emma Kershaw picked up a hat-trick against Wigan Warriors in the Knights’ last fixture, this week it was opposite centre Renouf who found herself scoring three tries.
Another break from Stanley created enough space for the ball to be spread out wide with Renouf sprinting over the try line to score her third of the afternoon.
The tenth and final try of the afternoon was scored on the 79-minute mark with full-back Stanley putting in another sidestep to plant the ball down in the near corner, converting her own try to bring up the half-century.
Up next for Lindsay Anfield’s side is a trip to the AJ Bell Stadium in Salford next Sunday where her side will be looking to lift the RFL Ladies Nines trophy.
YORK CITY KNIGHTS LINE-UP: Tara Jane Stanley, Bettie Lambert, Tamzin Renouf, Emma Kershaw, Lacey Owen, Jasmine Bell, Olivia Gale, Hollie Dodd, Savannah Andrade, Grace Field, Sinead Peach, Olivia Wood
INTERCHANGES: Daisy Sanderson, Katie Langan, Matilda Butler, Ash Hyde
TRIES: Lacey Owen (5’), Sinead Peach (21’), Tara Jane Stanley (28, 79), Tamzin Renouf (36’, 68’, 76’) Hollie Dodd (49’) Ash Hyde (60’) Jasmine Bell (73’)
GOALS: Tara Jane Stanley 5/10
HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS LINE-UP: Bethan Oates, Amie Walker, Sienna McPherson, Lois Naidole, Ellie Thompson, Bella Sykes, Becky Grady, Frankie Townend, Albany Coates, Hannah Goddard, Erin Stott, Lucy Burwood, Pippa Curley
INTERCHANGES: Hannah Davis, Holly Dhurmea, Charlotte Hawkins, Izzy Northrop
