York Valkyrie 52-0 Leigh Leopards: Match Report

York Valkyrie are 80 minutes away from an appearance at Wembley, after beating Leigh Leopards 52-0 in the quarter final of the Betfred Challenge Cup at the LNER Community Stadium.

The Valkyrie built a 26-0 half-time lead, despite being reduced to 12 players after Jess Sharp was sent off for striking.

They scored a total of ten tries, including a brace for both Jazz Rampton and Emma Kershaw to ease through to the next stage of the competition.

They’ll now meet St.Helens in the semi-final on 18th May.

It was a fast start for the Valkyrie, who opened the scoring after just four minutes. Work from Sinead Peach and Ellie Williamson allowed Savannah Andrade to jink and force her way over for the opening try, converted by Williamson.

A Liv Wood break into the Leigh half of the field then set up more good position, and Jazz Rampton galloped in to extend their early lead.

Partington was next to score, on the end of a flowing move on the last of the set, and the Valkyrie were looking confident with ball in hand.

Rampton got a second, taking a well timed pass from Sade Rihari, and the Valkyrie were scoring at more than a point a minute.

Leigh gradually settled and started to get a share of the territory, and when York were reduced to 12 after Sharp was shown a red card for striking, the Leopards started to gain some momentum.

However, after a strong spell of defending, the Valkyrie moved upfield and Izzy Brennan crashed in from close range. Williamson added her third goal of the afternoon.

Izzy Bibby went close just after the re-start, only to knock on as she tried to ground the ball, but when she got another chance moments later, she made no mistake.

Megan Pakulis showed characteristic strength and footwork to score a converted try, before Tara Moxon’s effort meant York passed the 40 point mark.

Emma Kershaw scored twice in the space of five minutes to take the try tally to ten, and complete a dominant afternoon for Lindsay Anfield’s side.

York: Dagger, Partington, Renouf, Rampton, Kershaw, Rihari, Williamson, Bell, Peach, Parker, Andrade, Wood, Pakulis

Subs (all used): Bibby, Sharp, Brennan, Moxon

18th Player: Stimpson

Sent off: Jess Sharp (27)

Tries: Andrade (4), Rampton (7,18), Partington (11), Brennan (34), Bibby (46), Pakulis (49), Moxon (52), Kershaw (65, 69)

Goals: Williamson (6/10)

Leigh: Dogus, Blackwood, Taylor, Young, Seddon, Burke, Dootson, Dainty, Gordon, Baggaley, Cobain, Melvin, Latchford

Subs (all used): Howard, Fisher, Johnson, McDermott

18th Player: Braizier

Tries: None