Leigh Leopards 0-26 York Valkyrie: Match Report

York Valkyrie got their second win of the Betfred Women’s Super League season, with a 26-0 win over Leigh Leopards at Golborne Parkside.

It was only Leigh’s second defeat of the season, after making a flying start to life in the top flight, following last season’s promotion.

With a number of players rested, a much changed Valkyrie line up scored five tries in a game in which they were made to work hard for the win.

It took a while for the first points of the game to come after an even start to the game. Both sides missed chances to build pressure because of handling errors.

Eventually, after half an hour’s play, York got the first try. From a scrum, the ball was moved wide and Eboni Partington put Izzy Bibby in for the opener.

York went close again before Partington got a try of her own, after the Valkyrie took advantage of field position from a penalty for a high tackle close to the line. With Ellie Williamson still looking for her first successful conversion of the afternoon, the Valkyrie led 8-0 at half time.

With both sides working hard in defence, it was York again who struck first after the break. Peach worked her way over first for a try converted by Williamson.

With momentum now building, they extended the lead with a try from Savanah Andrade, after a break from Partington, before Agnes Wood scooted in for what was the third Valkyrie try in a 10 minute spell.

That proved to be the last points of the game, but it was enough to give the Valkyrie a 26-0 win and put them just outside the top four of the table.

Leigh: Greenfield, Blackwood, Taylor, Cobain, Dogus, Burke, Morris. Johnson, Howard, Fisher, Morris, Melvin, Baggaley

Subs: Gordon, Brazier, McDermott, Collins

18th Player: Hill

Tries: None

Goals: None

York: Partington, Bibby, Parker, Moxon, Kershaw, Dagger, Williamson, Menaa, Peach, Hornby, Andrade, McDaid, Bell

Subs: A.Wood, Sexton, Brennan, Frederick-Maynard

Tries: Bibby (31), Partington (36), Peach (50), Andrade (55), Wood (59)

Goals: Williamson (3/5)

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