Wigan Warriors 6-8 York Valkyrie: Grand Final Match Report

York Valkyrie are Betfred Women’s Super League Champions, after an incredible 8-6 win over Wigan Warriors at the Brick Community Stadium.

A victory built on some incredible defence saw the Valkyrie beat the reigning champions to clinch their third Grand Final win.

A first half try from Sinead Peach, converted by Ellie Williamson and a Williamson penalty, with a converted try from Mia Atherton of Wigan all came in the first half, with the Warriors enjoying the better of the pressure in the second half.

However the defence, with three try saving tackles from player of the match, Amelie Lenham meant York hung on to give Leon Pryce his first silverware as head coach.

It was York who took first blood in a tight first half, opening the scoring in the first 10 minutes. Sinead Peach sold a dummy to take York within 20 metres of the line. After a set restart, Peach took the ball from acting half and spun through the defence to score.

More pressure followed, and Monique Donovan was stopped just short after taking a short pass from Adaoha Awiwu, who was playing in the halves in place of Tara-Jane Stanley.

The Valkyrie were the better side in the opening stages, with Wigan making uncharacteristic errors. However when they moved the ball wide after a penalty, the Warriors looked to be finding a footing in the game.

Jenna Foubister took advantage of a missed tackle to make a break, and she fed Mia Atherton who galloped in under the posts with her first touch of the ball. Izzy Rowe’s conversion brought them level.

They looked to have taken the lead moments later when fast hands worked an overlap, and Anna Davies went in at the corner, only for Amelie Lenham to take her into touch.

It was York who took the league, when a heavy tackle on Jas Bell led to Atherton going to the sin bin and Williamson’s penalty in front of the posts edging them ahead.

A huge Foubister kick on the last forced a drop out, and again as Wigan moved the ball wide, space opened up, only for the last pass to Derbyshire to go into touch.

At the other end, Petra Woods was held up just short on the last of the set as York continued to contain Wigan.

Wigan went down to 12 again when Eva Hunter was shown the yellow card after she led with her elbow into a tackle, leaving them a player short to end the half and for the opening stages of the second.

The Valkyrie almost took advantage of having the extra player straight after the restart, only for Liv Wood to be held short by more strong try line defence from Wigan.

Back up to 13, Wigan almost scored, only for another Lenham tackle to stop their momentum. However on their next set, an Izzy Rowe kick that wasn’t dealt with allowed the Warriors another chance. Lenham was again involved as Grace Banks was held up.

A missed tackle allowed Bethan Dainton to break clear and take Wigan to within 10 metres of York’s line. After back to back sets, somehow York’s defence withstood the relentless pressure.

Wigan came again after a forward pass gave them the ball back, and after Foubister and Cerys Jones went close, York survived again.

A forced pass allowed Wigan to again set up near the York line. Lenham again pulled off a try saver on Davies as she went for the corner.

Wigan’s attack was relentless, and York in response struggled to make the ground with ball in hand. However errors from the Warriors and incredible defence from York meant the Valkyrie hung on for a memorable win.

Wigan: Banks, Davies, Wilson, Jones, Derbyshire, Foubister, Rowe, Coleman, Wilton, Sams, Hunter, Jones, Williams

Subs: (all used) Marsh, Atherton, Dainton, Salihi

18th Player: Gregory-Haselden

Tries: Atherton (19)

Goals: Rowe (1/1)

Sin Bin: Atherton (27), Hunter (38)

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

Subs: (all used) Bibby, Bell, Brennan, (not used) Henderson

18th Player: Howard

Tries: Peach (9)

Goals: Williamson (2/2)

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