New challenge of Rugby 10’s posed no issues for Sunderland Women’s first team

University of Sunderland 41 – 5 University of Huddersfield

The faster paced game of rugby 10s had no effect on Sunderland, who dominated in their home game against Huddersfield Hornets, with a hat-trick from Alanna McCarron Walsh and a brace from Gabrielle Pedersen.

After a quick pass out of the ruck, Sunderland’s Pedersen scored to the right of the posts, which Meabh Cahalan converted.

Directly from Huddersfield’s kick-off, Sunderland’s McCarron Walsh caught the ball and had a strong run from deep within Sunderland’s half allowing her to score.

McCarron Walsh quickly followed this with a textbook try under the posts from a run from halfway bringing the score to 17–0.

Following a knock on by Sunderland, Huddersfield were awarded a scrum, out of which Victoria Benson was able to find gaps in Sunderland’s defence allowing her to score to the left of posts, which she failed to convert.

From a penalty tap and go, Sunderland’s Chloe Watson scored, which Cahalan failed to convert.

Sunderland’s McCarron Walsh completed her hat-trick with a great run from deep within Sunderland’s defensive half scoring directly under the posts.

The Hornets capitalised on Sunderland exceeding conversion time bringing the half time score to 27-5.

Sunderland utilised quick passes out of the line-out to allow Pedersen to score under the posts which she converted.

Straight from kick off, Sunderland caught the ball and had great offloads, allowing Lorena Carter to score in a tackle to the left of the posts which Pedersen converted.

There was a slow end to the game following injuries, meaning the full-time score was 41–5.