York Valkyrie finished top of their Challenge Cup group courtesy of a dominant 54-0 victory over the Leigh Leopards.
Winning Group Three secures a home quarter-final tie for Lindsay Anfield’s side as the road to Wembley Stadium continues.
Georgia Taylor, Ellie Hendry and Sinead Peach all bagged braces as York were forced to work hard for their victory away in Lancashire.
Ashleigh Hyde opened the scoring in just the second minute of the contest as the visitors exposed a gap down the left wing.
York were forced to wait 20 minutes before getting over for the second time. A resilient Leigh defence showed great determination, though Peach was able to find a breakthrough as she touched down under the posts.
Tara Jane Stanley added the conversion, her first of seven goals from 10 attempts.
Ellie Hendry added more points on the half-hour mark after capitalising on a quick pass from Liv Gale. Peach then bagged her second try to move the visitors 22-0 ahead at the break.
A flurry of errors from the Valkyrie allowed Leigh to thoroughly test York’s defence in the early minutes of the second half.
After successfully keeping the hosts out, the Valkyrie found their groove and produced some of their best rugby in the match.
Rhiannion Marshall marked the change of momentum after forcing her way over in the 48th minute.
York’s momentum continued with Taylor scoring a quick double and Tamzin Renouf taking the score to 44-0 with a try of her own.
In the final 10 minutes, Georgie Hetherington and Hendry closed out the match with two late efforts to make the final score 54-0.
York: Stanley, Taylor, Kershaw, Hetherington, Whitehead, Renouf, Gale, Wood, Peach, Staveley, Owen, Hendry, Marshall
Subs (all used): Hyde, Lambert, Butler, Sanderson
Tries: Hyde (2’), Peach (23’, 35’), Hendry (30’, 75’), Marshall (48’), Taylor (56’, 67’), Renouf (63’), Hetherington (72’)
Goals: Stanley (7/10)
Leigh: Dogus, Blackwood, Taylor, Derbyshire, Gater, Burke, Knowles, Quinn, Howard, Seddon, Morris, Boyham, Hill
Subs (all used): Millington, Farnell, Rosevere, Aspden
Geoff Pryce Player of the Match in partnership with Isaac Poad Brewing: Tara Jane Stanley
