Leeds Rhinos 0-12 York Valkyrie: Play off Semi-Final Match Report

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York Valkyrie are through to their fourth Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final in five years, after a 12-0 victory over Leeds Rhinos at AMT Headingley Stadium.

A first half converted try from Liv Wood, followed by a penalty from Tara-Jane Stanley was all that separated the teams after a first period dominated by York.

Leeds had two tries disallowed in the second half, while Stanley also had an effort ruled out for the Valkyrie.

However, Adaoha Akwiwu’s try with 20 minutes to go ultimately proved to be crucial for York.

After a tight opening to the game where Leeds had an early chance, Ellie Williamson had the opportunity to open the scoring for York. She went through a gap 40 metres out, but her kick to get past the last line of defence had too much on it and went dead.

The Valkyrie had another chance when Leeds winger, Ebony Stead couldn’t deal with a high Stanley kick. Liv Wood went close but lost the ball in the tackle.

It was all part of a long spell of York dominance, and when Eboni Partington found another gap in the Leeds defence to break from inside her own half, there was another opportunity for Leon Pryce’s side.

After forcing another set after a Leeds hand touched a Stanley kick on the last, the ball was shifted to Wood who powered her way over and stretched out to get the ball down. Stanley converted.

York continued to dominate the territory and took the chance to extend their lead when Leeds were caught offside just 30 metres from their own line. Stanley added the penalty for the only other points of the half.

Leeds were allowed more possession and territory in the second half, but the Valkyrie still built pressure near the line.

A testing Williamson kick led to more good position, Stanley jinked her way through to cross the line, only for the video referee to ruled she’d knocked on grounding the ball.

From here, Leeds had their best spell of the game. Connie Boyd twice went close, only for some desperate try line defence to prevent her going in. Eventually, a gap opened up for Georgia Elliston to go through, only for obstruction to be called in the build up.

Another tricky WIlliamson kick caused chaos for the Leeds defence, and Valkyrie regained possession deep in the Leeds half. Stanley was the provider for Akwiwu, who ran a great line to go in for an unconverted try and a 12 point advantage.

With rain now falling, handling became more of a challenge, and Stanley tried to extend the lead with a drop goal, only to see her attempt go wide.

With less than ten minutes on the clock, Leeds stepped up, trying to take advantage of some York errors and disruption through the loss of Stanley to a HIA.

Mel Howard launched a cross field kick and with an awkward bounce wrong footing the defence, Stead was first to react to score. However the video referee intervened again to rule a knock on as she scored.

In the final two minutes, Izzy Bibby almost made sure for York, only to be held up over the try line.

However with time against the Rhinos, the Valkyrie played the game out to secure a trip to Wigan next Sunday.

Leeds: Enright, Whitehead, Cousins, Boyd, Stead, Howard, Walker, Donnelly, Bennett, Naidole, Owen. Murray. Sykes

Subs: (all used): Bruce, Elliston, Brown. Glynn

18th Player: Bryer

Tries: None

Goals: None

York: Donovan, Kershaw, Woods, Lenham, Partington, Stanley, Williamson, O Wood, Peach, Pakulis, Akwiwu, Andrade, Parker

Subs: (all used) Bibby, Bell, Brennan, A Wood

18th Player: Henderson

Tries: Woods (22), Akwiwu (64)

Goals: Stanley (2/3)