St.Helens 12-8 York Valkyrie: Play off semi-final Match Report

York Valkyrie’s defence of the Betfred Women’s Super League title ended with an 12-8 defeat by St.Helens at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

In a repeat of last year’s Grand Final, the Valkyrie worked hard to get the win over their rivals for the first time in four meetings this season.

However, in a tight game where Faye Gaskin’s two conversions proved key for Saints, Lindsay Anfield’s side couldn’t quite take control of the game despite a tense finish where they almost snatched it.

A typically tight opening period saw York start to build pressure on Saints. However, with Faye Gaskin’s long kicking game causing problems for the Valkyrie, who were playing with the sun in their faces, York were also forced to keep working hard in defence.

More than a quarter of an hour was played before the first real chance of points. Off the back of a York error from one of those high Gaskin kicks, Katie Mottershead took advantage of the position and dived over from acting half to get the ball down. Gaskin converted.

York’s best chance came from Lisa Parker, who was held just short of the line by Gaskin after some strong work by Peace Lekuru and Tamzin Renouf in the build up.

Lekuru was next to go close, and it took the video referee to rule she was just short of the whitewash. On the next of the set, Renouf dived over the top of the defence to get the try. Marshall couldn't convert from the touchline.

With just two points between them at the break, a big second half was needed from the Valkyrie.

It was Saints who had the better of the early second half stages, and with consecutive penalties allowing them good field position, York were under pressure. They were punished when Caitlin Casey was sent through a gap to score next to the posts, and Gaskin added an easy conversion.

York had to weather the storm as Saints looked more composed with ball in hand. Emma Kershaw had a sniff of space out wide, only for the home defence to cover and take her in to touch.

As the game moved into the final quarter, York started to build some pressure in the Saints half again. Now, it was Saints’ turn to show some sterling defence and York weren’t able to break it down.

Eventually, the pressure did tell, when Phoebe Hook wasn’t able to deal with a Georgie Dagger kick through, and Dagger was first to react to the loose ball to score. Brennan couldn’t add the goal, so York were four points behind with less than 15 minutes remaining.

Saints almost hit straight back when Dani McGifford looked to have an open line in front of her, only for York’s defence to do a job and take her in to touch just metres away from scoring what could have been a crucial try.

However, handling errors were making it hard for York to make an impact in attack, despite getting possession in the Saints half.

With three minutes on the clock, Dagger kicked through in the St.Helens 10 metre area, and Casey knocked on giving York a final chance to clinch the game. Marshall crashed through but she was held up, before the ball was then lost on the last of the set in a last gasp push to get over the line, ending the Valkyrie’s title defence.

St.Helens: Rotherham, Hook, Salihi, McColm, McGifford, Cunningham, Gaskin, Stott, Mottershead, Crowl, Hoyle, Rudge, Casey

Subs (all used): Whitfield, Williams, McDonald, Bawden

18th Player: Bridge

Tries: Mottershead (17), Casey (45)

Goals: Gaskin (2/2)

York: Partington, Lekuru, Parker, Moxon, Kershaw, Williamson, Renouf, L.Wood, Dagger, Brennan, Andrade, Sexton, Bell

Subs (all used): Marshall, Bibby, A.Wood, Hornby

18th Player: Awiwu

Tries: Renouf (34), Dagger (66)

Goals: Marshall (0/1), Brennan (0/1)

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