St.Helens 18-8 York Valkyrie: Match Report

York Valkyrie lost 18-8 at Betfred Women’s Championship leaders, St.Helens in an intense game at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Two late tries from St.Helens winger, Phoebe Hook, put Saints ahead for the first time in what had been a tight game between the teams in first and third place in the table.

Only a penalty from York’s Rhiannion Marshall separated the teams at half time, with try scoring opportunities few and far between.

However Hook’s late efforts were enough for Saints to maintain their unbeaten record despite the Valkyrie’s efforts.

The best chance to score came for York as Tara Moxon was put through by Sinead Peach, only to be held up.

From there, Saints went up the other end of the field and earned their best position of the opening stages. However, some big defence from the Valkyrie snuffed out the danger.

From a penalty after the ball was stripped in the tackle, Saints got set 10 metres out from the York line. A penalty for a late shot in the resulting set allowed Faye Gaskin a chance at goal to give Saints the lead. Her attempt hit the post but Saints regathered, only for more sterling York defence to keep them out.

York’s Evie Sexton was the next to be held just short, with Saints putting in effort with their try line defence.

With just minutes to go to half time, Saints started to pick up the pace. They earned a penalty for a late shot on Jodie Cunningham by Sexton, who was then sent to the sin bin, but a handling error meant Saints couldn’t see their set out.

Just before the break, a high tackle by Gaskin on Tamzin Renouf, which was also placed on report, gave York a chance at goal. Rhiannion Marshall stepped up and the deadlock was finally broken going into the break.

A lightning start for York in the second half almost saw them take advantage of another Saints handling error, only for Renouf to be held up.

The first try eventually came after some great work keeping the ball alive in the Saints 10 metre area. Peace Lekuru looked to be running out of space as the defence closed in but managed to find Savannah Andrade, who showed some lovely footwork to get around the defenders to score. Marshall extended the lead with the conversion.

Saints hit back almost immediately, getting a set near York’s line after the defence couldn’t deal with a high Gaskin kick. Emily Rudge crashed over and Gaskin’s conversion brought the difference back to within two points.

The game was getting feisty with the referee needing to try and calm things down as the intensity lifted.

Another penalty for a high tackle gave Saints another chance of pressure, but again a combination of strong defence and a handling error meant they couldn’t take advantage.

However, the momentum was starting to swing to the home side, and when Phoebe Hook scored at the corner, they had the lead for the first time. It was too far out for Gaskin to add the extra points.

A York error in their own 20 metre zone allowed more Saints’ pressure, and Hook was again sent in at the corner. Gaskin landed the conversion from the touchline to give them an eight point lead.

With the clock ticking down there was more Saints pressure, and with just over a minute to go, Sinead Peach was sent off for dissent. Gaskin added another two points from the penalty to stretch the lead to 10 points, in what was the last act of the game.

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

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

18th Player: Bawden

Tries: Rudge (53), Hook (70, 78)

Goals: Gaskin (3/5)

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

Subs (all used): Williamson, Bibby, Hornby, Marshall

18th Player: Akwiwu

Tries: Andrade (47)

Goals: Marshall (2/2)

Sin Bin: Sexton (38)

Sent off: Peach (79)

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