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York Valkyrie claimed their first Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final title after an enthralling 16-6 victory over Leeds Rhinos at the LNER Community Stadium.
A record-breaking Betfred Women’s Grand Final crowd of 4,547 was in attendance as the Valkyrie avenged last year’s showpiece defeat against the Rhinos.
Tamzin Renouf, Tara Stanley and Lacey Owen were all on the scoresheet as the Valkyrie completed an unprecedented unbeaten Super League campaign.
The early moments of the match were certainly nervy for the hosts. Leeds were determined to capitalise on an early Sinead Peach error, though despite a goal-line drop-out the Valkyrie held out strong in defence. Caitlin Beevers came closest to scoring, only to be denied by solid edge defence.
York shook off the early error and it wasn’t long before the hosts treated the capacity crowd to the opening score.
With quarter-of-an-hour gone, the Valkyrie quickly worked the ball out wide as Tamzin Renouf touched down in the corner to give her side the lead. Stanley was unable to convert from a tight angle.
The action began to heat up at the LNER Community Stadium, with both teams dishing out serious shots – the biggest one being served by Rhiannion Marshall.
Valkyrie pressed on and their initiative opened the door for another try just before the half-time hooter.
On this occasion, it was Sade Rihari who released Stanley down the right. Once the full-back got going, there was simply no stopping her from touching down in the corner and reaching 350 points for York.
Leeds needed to produce a response in the second half and just four minutes in, they secured their first points of the match.
Daisy Sanderson was punished for a high tackle just 10 metres out from the posts, allowing Ruby Enright to bag the two points with the boot.
Leeds used their first success to build attacking momentum, though York’s defence proved too strong and resilient.
With 60 minutes on the clock, York received a penalty of their own just in front of the stick, with Stanley adding two more points to make it 10-2.
Just two minutes later, the Valkyrie all but ended any hopes of a Rhinos comeback as Owen stormed over the whitewash following a sensational pass from Liv Gale. Stanley bagged the conversion to make it 16-2.
Frustrations in the Leeds camp grew and despite a late try from Caitlin Casey, the day belonged to York Valkyrie.
York: Stanley, Hetherington, Roberts, Renouf, Kershaw, Rihari, Gale, Akpa, Peach, Staveley, Owen, Andrade, Wood
Subs used: Bell, Marshall, Sanderson. Subs not used: Hyde
Tries: Renouf (15), Stanley (40), Owen (62)
Goals: Stanley (2/4)
Leeds: Enright, Nuttall, Hardcastle, Beevers, Robinson, Butcher, Casey, Hornby, Bennett, Northrop, Murray, Greening, Dainton
Subs: Earnshaw-Cudjoe, Glynn, Lockwood, Sykes
Tries: Casey (80)
Goals: Enright (1/2)
Attendance: 4,547
