Warm up game | Laund Hill, Huddersfield
Sunday 16 March 2025 (3pm)
Huddersfield Giants 28 – 6 Leigh Leopards
Leopards travelled to Huddersfield for their only pre-season warmup game, with a squad of 23 players, containing five new recruits and two players returning from long term injuries.
The opening exchanges saw both teams evenly matched going set for set. Leopards almost opened the scoring when Mollie Young was held up over the line, but on the next set, Huddersfield spotted a gap on the short side and winger Mollie Iceton broke the line and sprinted 80 metres to score by the posts.
Leopards continued to press, looking for an opening score and went close again with debutant Emily Baggaley held up over the line. As half time approached some indiscipline allowed Huddersfield good field position and they capitalised with tries from Frankie Townend and Iceton to take a 16-0 lead into the break.
The second half saw a much-changed team, with coach Kieron Purtill looking to give his entire squad game time. Leopards started the half well, dominating field position, but they were unable to turn the pressure into points.
A seven tackle set saw Giants progress rapidly upfield, with winger Tilly Davies squeezing in at the corner to extend the lead.
A good defensive effort from Leigh forced an error deep in Huddersfield territory. From the resulting possession, the pressure eventually told, with Mackenzie Taylor running a great line to score by the uprights; Charlotte Melvin tagged on the conversion.
Giants ended strongly, scoring two late tries including another from Iceton who completed her hat-trick.
Head Coach Kieron Purtill reflected on the game
“It was good to get a game and especially against a Super League team to help us get up-to speed.
“We were very competitive for large periods and rotated the squad around for game time using 23 players in total.
“It was a game of learning and certainly we can take away some positive bits from our game but more importantly it was great opportunity to learn about stepping up a division, bits we need to improve on, giving the new squad additions a first run out and looking at players in different positions.
“Special mention to both Mackenzie Taylor and Elise Gater who both made their return from being out injured for over twelve months.”
Leopards team
1 DOGUS, Hattie
2 BLACKWOOD, Toryn
3 TAYLOR, Mackenzie
4 YOUNG, Mollie
5 GREENFIELD, Becky
6 BURKE, Rhianna
7 MORRIS, Leah
8 DAINTY, Eleanor
14 GORDON, Abi
24 BAGGALEY, Emily
12 MELVIN, Charlotte
11 COBAIN, Storm (captain)
27 LATCHFORD, Abi
Bench:
15 BRAZIER, Sam
19 MULLANEY, Claire
17 COLLINS, Claire
31 McDERMOTT, Macy
16 JOHNSON, Lucy
30 HIGSON, Maddie
29 GATER, Elise
22 TURNER, Freya
23 SEDDON, Kim
26 ROBERTS, Hannah
Many thanks to team manager Stephen Quinn for the report
