Battling Hornets Ladies defeated by Lionesses

Swinton Lionesses vs Rochdale Hornets Ladies, Heywood Road, Sale 12:00hrs 17/07/2022

Sunday brought Hornets Ladies to the home of Swinton Lionesses,. Swinton are top of the league - unbeaten - and a team who have improved in each of their three seasons as a team. They are certainly a blueprint for success at this level. 

Once again Hornets started unavoidably on the back foot travelling with only 15 players but, as they always do, they approached the game in high spirits looking to enjoy the occasion and relish the challenge. 

On a gloriously hot day and with a big firm pitch, the day was set up for an open game of free-flowing rugby league. Swinton, a young quick accomplished side, started like a house on fire using the pitch and their speed to cut through Hornets down the channels.  

It took the first half for Hornets to acclimatise to the conditions; but gave a better account of themselves in the second half.

Georgia Turner, the young second row, was outstanding working tirelessly in the sweltering South Manchester heat. 

As was Summer Harris, another young union convert we can look forward to see developing at Hornets. 

Millie Harris is another young player in the team that deserves all credit, never shirking a tackle and 100% committed to developing herself as a player and person within the Hornets setup. 

Once again Steph Hillen was incredible; her work rate in the conditions was extraordinary. 

Player of the Match went to Holly Hilton, playing potentially her last game for a while at Hornets. A natural leader on the pitch - one of the most accomplished well-rounded players to wear the shirt. 

The game finished 58-0 but given the half-time score of 40-0, Hornets ended the game - in spite of the result - relatively positive. The game got away from Hornets before they even started but it’s another lesson learned and they move forward.

Coach Rob Rigby commented: “The 15 ladies found it hard going in the first half, struggling in the heat, not helped by the referee missing agreed water breaks. The half time pep talk, whilst rehydrating, saw an immediate improvement. We managed to get on the front foot pinning Swinton in their own half for the majority of the half, with them only breaching our line from three runaway tries. We built up play several times, crossing the whitewash four times, but were held up by a strong Swinton defence. The girls never gave up until the final whistle.”

Attention now turns to next week’s home fixture against Featherstone, a 2pm kick-off at Mayfield.

Hornets: Libby Hadfield, Millie Harris, Chloe Mansell, Summer Harris, Claire Sutcliffe, Wendy Garforth, Holly Hilton, Sam Plant, Steph Hillen, Tammy Murphy, Sam Brazier, Summer Harris, Harriet Widdup, Beth Harris, Harriet Jackson.