MURRAY HAT-TRICK IN RHINOS’ TRIUMPH
SAM BROCKSOM AMT Headingley Stadium, Sunday
Lucy Murray beats Eboni Partington to score
PIC: Melanie Allatt
LEEDS RHINOS 30 YORK VALKYRIE 14
A LUCY MURRAY hat-trick helped Leeds to a dominant victory ahead of the play-offs.
After wins the week before, changes were made by both sides with Lisa Parker and Liv Wood back in York’s starting line-up and Ella Donnelly returning for the Rhinos.
It took just four minutes for the deadlock to be broken, with Leeds starting quickly. Caitlin Beevers almost crossed on her first AMT Headingley appearance in more than a year, but was called short. The ball went to Mel Howard from the ruck, and she kicked into the in-goal. It was not dealt with by the Valkyrie, and Ruby Walker was there to touch down before the ball went dead. Howard added the conversion, the first of five from five.
Back-to-back penalties for York gave them their first chance shortly after, but they couldn’t take it as they dropped the ball close to the Leeds line.
Shortly after the 20-minute mark, Shannon Brown added her sixth try of the season, crashing over from close range. She received a pass from Walker.
Leeds scored their third try in similar fashion. This time Howard was the creator, putting over England international Murray. Howard’s goal made it 18-0 at the break.