Sunderland 86 – 19 Hull: Squad shake-up proves no problem for Women’s Rugby team

Sunderland cruised to victory in their second game of the season against Hull at home ground Hillview.

The home team dominated despite injuries and the freezing weather with a double hat trick from Lauren- Leigh Shield, and hat tricks from Lillie Stamper and Sophie Fenwick.

Sunderland set the standard for the game early with Elizabeth Miller catching the ball from the first kick and charging through Hull’s defensive line followed by a pass to Shield allowing her to give Sunderland the all-important early lead.

Sunderland continued to utilise the downhill advantage with Princess Merville taking the ball from the halfway line to score to the left of the posts, followed by a successful conversion from Stamper.

The home team secured their lead with Shield scoring straight from kick off and a conversion from Stamper.

A Sunderland injury forced there to be a change in line up and the restart saw Hull’s Katie Brough have a great run to go on to score, followed by a conversion from Liam Bell.

Stamper went on to convert her own try before Shield scored which was again converted by Stamper.

At the half hour mark, another strong run from halfway saw Fenwick score directly under the posts. Followed by two tries in quick succession from Stamper and Shield.

Hull’s Bell converted her own try making the score 48 – 14, after the away team’s captain Evamae Topham’s attempt from a great run was met by strong Sunderland defence.

Just before half time, a scrum saw Miller gain possession and face an uncompleted tackle allowing her to go on and score, which was converted by Shield taking the score to 55 – 14 at the break.

At the start of the second half, Shield scored from a quick tap and go which Miller converted. Before, Miller went on to assist Stamper in a try from within Sunderland’s half.

Sunderland’s Shield and Fenwick both had powerful runs from halfway allowing them both to score, both tries getting converted by Miller and Fenwick respectively.

In the final ten minutes, Hull’s Amy Mordue and Sunderland’s Fenwick scored leaving the full-time score as 86 – 19.

Sunderland will face their toughest competition Sheffield Hallam who are currently undefeated at the top of the League Table.

Sunderland’s Captain Fenwick stated the team’s main focus is on their upcoming Sheffield Game as she stated she “thinks it’s going to be a hard one, but again the team will put all their effort in and do what they can do”.