Match report on all the action from the York Valkyrie vs Warrington Wolves Women’s Super League fixture at the LNER Community Stadium, York.
York Valkyrie 44 – 4 Warrington Wolves
(HT 16 – 4)
York tries: 6’ 12’ Whitehead, 26’ 74’ Stanley, 54’ Peach, 65’ Renouf, 77’ Marshall, 79’ Hetherington | York goals: Stanley (6/9 – 1 penalty goal)
Warrington tries: 18’ Eastwood | Warrington goals: Davis (0/1)
POTM: Rhiannion Marshall (York Valkyrie)
Warrington challenged York in the first few moments of the game, keeping them off the Wolves tryline despite efforts from Tara Jane Stanley and Savannah Andrade. Liv Whitehead opened the account for York in the corner assisted by a cut-out pass from Stanley, who converted from the touchline.
Warrington in reply were shaky, giving York a penalty then allowing the Valkyrie in their 40 after a forward pass. Whitehead was once again able to capitalise on the pressure with another cut-out pass from Stanley for her second try of the game. Stanley was unable to convert as the ball fell short.
York were starting to slip up after the early lead, Warrington winning a penalty for offside then a high tackle from Hetherington allowed for a restart on the Valkyrie 30. Wolves’ Lucy Eastwood put the 4 points on the board for Warrington scoring down the right side, Davis’ conversion falling wide of the sticks.
Tara Stanley in reply scored and converted her own try to put York 12 points ahead going into the second half, Warrington putting up strong defensive play to keep the score 16-4 for the final 10 before the break.
Warrington were again able to provide 10 minutes of peace, another high tackle from York, a scrum for the Wolves and conceding another 6 on the opposition’s last tackle showed a rare sign of worry from the home side.
Valkyrie captain Sinead Peach broke the silence after Jas Bell had set the try up perfectly. Peach diving over from dummy-half to stretch across the line despite the 3 Wolves players attempting to hold her back just 5m from the line. Stanley converted to pull York to 22-4.
💪 @sineadpeach goes over for the first try of the second half…
⚔️ @YorkValkyrie lead 22-4 with just over 20 minutes remaining!
📺 Watch LIVE on #OURLEAGUE!
— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) May 28, 2023
A handy offload from Grace Field brought Tamzin Renouf into the game as she barged over the line in the 65th minute, though not to be converted by the York fullback Stanley.
The Valkyrie really ran riot towards the last 10 minutes where it was visible the Wolves were just unable to keep up. Stanley scored her second try of the game via a reverse pass from Hetherington setting her up for the 4 points. Converting her own try once more, the Valkyrie were 32-4 with just 5 minutes left on the clock.
Rhiannion Marshall broke through the middle of the Warrington defence 30m from the line, racing under the sticks to score, the 5th conversion of the day for Stanley. Sade Rihari set Georgie Hetherington up finely storming down the right side for what would be the final try of the game, topped off by a Stanley conversion (6/9) to seal a convincing 44-4 victory.
York have won all their Women’s Challenge Cup and Women’s Super League fixtures to date so far in the season, with their next Super League fixture on the 2nd July vs Wigan Warriors at the LNER Stadium once more. Warrington return to WSL action sooner on 11th June vs Huddersfield Giants at the Huddersfield YMCA.
York have been drawn at home vs the Cardiff Demons in the Women;s Challenge Cup, with exact fixture date and ticket details to be announced soon, though will take place on the weekend of 17th-18th June. Warrington face St Helens away in a local rivalry fixture.
York Valkyrie XIII: Tara Jane Stanley, Georgia Taylor, Emma Kershaw, Georgie Hetherington, Liv Whitehead, Tamzin Renouf, Liv Gale, Liv Wood, Sinead Peach, Aimee Staveley, Savannah Andrade, Ellie Hendry, Grace Field Interchanges: Sade Rihari, Jas Bell, Rhiannion Marshall, Daisy Sanderson. Head coach: Lindsay Anfield
Warrington Wolves XIII: Michelle Davis, Abigail Johnston, Emily Baggeley, Sam Simpson, Shannon Stephens, Lucy Eastwood, Charlie Magraw, Armani Sharrock, Ellie Jelves, Abigail Latchford, Katie-May Williams, Kacy Haley, Georgia Westwood. Interchanges: Grace Ramsden, Jess Courtman, Emily Downs, Lauren Roberts. Head coach: Lee Westwood.
Huddersfield Giants vs Wigan Warriors
Huddersfield Giants 20 – 30 Wigan Warriors
(HT 8-16)
Huddersfield tries: Taylor, Thompson, Stott, Brown, Goddard | Huddersfield goals: (0/5)
Wigan tries: Jones, Banks, Miller, Coleman, Hayes, Molyneux, Hunter | Wigan goals: (1/7)
Huddersfield Giants XIII: Amy Bennett, Hannah Goddard, Kelly Morgan, Erin Stott, Amelia Brown, Bethan Oates, Millie Taylor, Emma Wilkinson, Abbie Millward, Sienna McPherson, Ellie Thompson, Katy Fisher, Frankie Townend. Interchanges: Pippa Curley, Naidole, Barker, Ana Da Silva.
Wigan Warriors XIII: Beri Salihi, Cailey Miller, Gabi Leigh, Eva Hunter, Molly Jones, Grace Banks, Carys Marsh, Holly Speakman, Emma Dwyer, Lucy Johnson, Vicky Molyneux, Mary Coleman, Cerys Marsh. Interchanges: Beth Hayes, Kerrie Evans, Olivia Harborow, Kaitlin Hilton.
Salford Red Devils vs Leigh Leopards
Salford Red Devils 10 – 58 Leigh Leopards
(HT 4 – 26)
Salford tries: Ellison, Jones | Salford goals: Jones (1/2)
Leigh tries: Taylor, Derbyshire, Gator (3), Quinn, Dogus (2), Knowles, Burke | Leigh goals: Knowles (8/10)
Salford Red Devils XIII: Steph Gray, Lauren Ellison, Victoria Kini, Sam Evans, Alex Simpson, Louise Fellingham, Demi Jones, Hannah Wicks, Brogan Evans, Emerald Hickey, Jessica Panayiotou, Sarina Tamou, Megan Condliffe. Interchanges: Laura Bent, Darcey Price, Yasmin Parton-Sotomayor, Casey Naylor. Head coach: Dawn Scholfield.
Leigh Leopards XIII: Hatice Dogus, Toryn Blackwood, Ellise Derbyshire, Mackenzie Taylor, Elise Gator, Rhianna Burke, Emma Knowles, Mairead Quinn, Kate Howard, Vicky Rosevere, Keli Morris, Olivia Boyham, Grace Hill. Interchanges: Kirsty Millington, Isla Aspden, Keira McCosh, Claire Mullaney. Head coach: Kieron Purtill.
Written by Ellie Indie
