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York Valkyrie suffered their first Betfred Women's Super League regular season defeat since July 2022 after going down 16-10 to ex-champions Leeds Rhinos at the LNER Community Stadium.
Eboni Partington's early opener got York off to a bright start before fought their way in front through Shona Hoyle and Caitlin Beevers tries in either half.
The Valkyrie struck back late on when Lacey Owen crossed the whitewash but four Ruby Enright goals saw Leeds gain revenge after last season's BWSL Grand Final defeat to the hosts.
The reigning BWSL champions started the better of the two sides and were ahead inside the first dozen minutes when Partington touched down in the left corner after the ball went swiftly through the hands of Georgie Hetherington, Jas Bell, Liv Gale, Tara Jane Stanley and Tamzin Renouf. Stanley converted magnificently from the tight angle.
Leeds replied midway through the first half when Beevers stepped inside past two defenders before putting Hoyle over the whitewash.
Enright levelled the scores from the kicking tee and nudged the Rhinos ahead before half-time through a penalty goal.
Leeds enjoyed the lion's share of the territory early in the second half and made their pressure tell when Beevers finished Enright's short pass as the visitors exploited an overlap in the left corner.
Another Enright conversion followed, as did a second penalty goal from the full-back with a quarter of an hour to go.
With six minutes left, York got back to within one score when Owen dummied her way across the whitewash, but Leeds managed to hang on to end the Valkyrie's unbeaten start to 2024.
York: Stanley, Partington, Renouf, Roberts, Kershaw, Rihari, Gale, Wood, Hetherington, Stimpson, Owen, Andrade, Bell
Subs used: Marshall, Sharp, Wilton. Subs not used: Brennan
18th Player: Sanderson
Tries: Partington (12’), Owen (74’)
Goals: Stanley (1/2)
Leeds: Enright, Whitehead, Beevers, Hardcastle, Cousins, Butcher, Casey, Field, Bennett, Northrop, Hoyle, Murray, Dainton
Subs (all used): Robinson, Hornby, Sykes, Donnelly
18th Player: Greening
Tries: Hoyle (25’), Beevers (58’)
Goals: Enright (4/4)
