- Sep 8

Wigan Warriors 12-16 York Valkyrie: Match Report

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York Valkyrie moved up to third in the Betfred Women’s Super League, after a 16-10 win over rivals, Wigan Warriors.

First half tries from Izzy Brennan and Lisa Parker, with four goals from Brennan mean they leap frog Wigan in the table.

With one match of the regular season remaining they sit behind second place Leeds Rhinos only on points difference.

It wasn’t the best of starts though for the Valkyrie, conceding a try in the first set of the game.

Jenna Foubister put Eva Hunter through a gap, and Molly Jones raced up in support to get the opening try of the game. Isobel Rowe converted.

Heavy rain before and during the game meant conditions were tough, and handling was difficult from the start.

Each team had to take their chances when they could, and when York had their first real opportunity they took it through Izzy Brennan to close the gap to two points.

With errors creeping into the game, it was clear opportunities would be hard to come by and Lisa Parker’s try for the Valkyrie proved to be the penultimate of the afternoon. Brennan added the goal.

As conditions worsened, Molly Jones went close for Wigan, but it was York who extended the lead through a penalty from Brennan from close range.

The Valkyrie thought they’d extended their lead, only for Lacey Owen’s effort to be chalked off for offside as she won the chase to a kick through the line.

Wigan ended the half with just 12 players, when Eva Hunter was sin binned for a challenge in the air on Emma Kershaw.

Despite the advantage, York couldn’t break down the determined Wigan side.

The greasy conditions forced both teams to revert to trying to do the basics well, so when York were awarded another penalty in a kickable position, Brennan stepped up again to add the two points.

Megan Pakulis went close for the Valkyrie before Brennan again added two points from a penalty to build a 10 point lead with just over 20 minutes remaining.

York were by now having the better of the play, but errors meant neither side were able to build any consistency as the rain continued to fall.

The Valkyrie had the chance to seal it as play moved wide to Lacey Owen, but she couldn’t take the ball in from Sade Rihari.

Eventually, the only try of the second half came from Wigan full back, Grace Banks.

She received the ball out wide and went in from 20 metres out, for Rowe to convert.

With just minutes remaining on the clock, the Valkyrie held firm to collect a vital win to keep their hopes of a home tie in the play offs alive.

Wigan: Banks, Davies, Wilson, Jones, Derbyshire, Rowe, Foubister, Speakman, Marsh, Coleman, Hunter, Molyneux, Thompson

Subs: Gregory-Haselden, Hilton, Jones, Hunter

18th Player: Singleton

Tries: Jones (10), Banks (76)

Goals: Rowe 2/2

York: Hetherington, Partington, Parker, Izumi, Kershaw, Rihari, Renouf, Wood, Brennan, Bell, Oweb, Andrade, Pakulis

Subs: Marshall, Gentles, Sharp, Wilton