York Valkyrie 10-14 St.Helens: Match Report

3 hours ago
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York Valkyrie will have to wait until the final week of the season to see if they can reach the play off Betfred Women's Super League semi final, after losing 14-10 at home to St.Helens at the LNER Community Stadium.

Both teams scored two tries, but the 100% record from the boot of Faye Gaskin proved to be the difference in a game played in wet conditions.

The Valkyrie defended well for long periods but St.Helens dealt with the conditions well to keep their own hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive.

It was a bright start from York, and Sinead Peach almost opened the scoring after five minutes, but was held up over the line.

That was the start of a period of dominance from the Valkyrie, and almost a quarter of an hour had gone before St.Helens had an opportunity.

Valkyrie winger, Eboni Partington diffused a kick through from Zoe Harris and from here, York moved back upfield and pressed the Saints’ line. After forcing a drop out, the St.Helens defence cracked and Adaoha Akwiwu found a way through for the opening try.

Saints hit back with repeat sets near the York line and despite some sterling efforts in defence, Katie Mottershead buried her way through from acting half. Gaskin added the goal to put St.Helens ahead.

That try turned the momentum and St.Helens pressed again. This time, York errors invited Saints forward only for more strong defence to keep them out, leaving just two points still separating them at the break.

With conditions becoming greasy in the rain, St.Helens adapted better as York made handling errors.

Agnes Wood eventually relieved some pressure with a 40 metre break upfield, as York tried to regain a footing.

However, St.Helens went on to extend their lead, when a Gaskin bomb wasn’t dealt with. From that set, Shona Hoyle-Holdsworth spun out of the tacklers to force her way over for a converted try.

Another error under a high ball almost led to more St.Helens points, but again the Valkyrie defence worked hard, with Erin McDonald held just short.

In attack, York were being pinned back and having to kick from deep in their own half as Saints kept building momentum.

With rain continuing to fall, handling became harder for both teams. So when Saints won a penalty in a kickable position, they elected to go for goal and Gaskin added another two points.

A penalty for a high tackle allowed York a chance, and when Paige Travis was sent to the sin bin for a hair pull, York exploited the gap to put Izzy Brennan in for a try. Stanley added the goal to reduce the gap to four points.

With time running out, York had possession in the Saints half, but the visitors hung on to take the a crucial win.

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

Subs: (all used) Bibby, Bell, Brennan, A Wood

18th Player: Henderson

Tries: Akwiwu (17), Brennan (74)

Goals: Stanley (1/2)

St.Helens: Dennis, Hook, Hardcastle, Woosey, McGifford, Harris, Gaskin, Hoyle, Casey, McDonald, Travis, Rudge, Cunningham

Subs: (used) Whitfield, Mottershead, Bridge, (not used) Rotherham

18th Player: McVernon

Tries: Mottershead (29), Hoyle-Holdsworth (53)

Goals: Gaskin (3/3)

Sin Bin: Travis (73)