York Valkyrie 14-18 St.Helens: Match Report

York Valkyrie lost a tight game against Challenge Cup finalists St.Helens, 18-14, in round 2 of the Betfred Women’s Super League at the LNER Community Stadium.

It was the first test in the league for Leon Pryce’s side against one of “big four” and they played with confidence against an experienced side.

A tight first half meant it was all square at half time, and the lead changed hands twice in the final moments before St.Helens claimed the win.

A slow start from York led to Leah Burke setting St.Helens up close to the York line, with only a tackle from Liv Turner stopping her from going in for the opening try. From there, the ball was worked to Amy Hardcastle who found an easy way through to score. Faye Gaskin added the goal.

When the Valkyrie weren’t able to deal with a high Gaskin bomb, Saints were in good position again. This time York’s defence looked better and their line went unbreached.

From here, the game settled into a set for set battle, but with Gaskin’s kicking game giving Saints more depth, the visitors were edging the territory.

Eventually, the Valkyrie were able to build some pressure of their own, but despite Jas Bell and Megan Pakulis getting close, they weren’t able to get points on the board.

Erin McDonald then looked to have extended Saints’ lead, only to knock on as she crashed over the line.

From there, there was a momentum shift, and York took advantage of back to back sets near Saints’ line. Bell again went close, before Pakulis took a short pass and buried her way over. Williamson’s goal levelled the game, and that was how it stayed into the break.

It was Saints that had the better start in the second half, and after another spell in York territory, Gaskin showed her strength to plant the ball behind the line, despite the tacklers for a converted try.

With a few errors in York’s game, St.Helens were able to keep pushing up field, but they weren’t allowed to get too much of an advantage thanks to some big defensive efforts.

It was one of those efforts that finally led to York getting possession within the Saints 20 metre area. Great handling almost put Monique Donovan over, before the set ended with the ball going into touch as the Valkyrie tried to work space out wide on the opposite side of the field.

A penalty then gave York another chance, only for Tara Moxon to be held up over the line. With less than a quarter of the game remaining, tension was rising for both teams.

York were throwing the ball with confidence, and when Sade Rihari and Donovan combined, Partington saw space and went over to score. Williamson landed the conversion to level it again.

Inside the final ten minutes, York were awarded a penalty for offside, and Williamson stepped up to put York ahead.

It was a short lived lead though, as Saints moved the ball left and Dani McGifford went in for a try converted by Gaskin from the touchline, which proved to be the crucial score.

York: Turner, Henderson Donovan, P Woods, Partington, Rihari, Williamson, O Wood, Bibby, Pakulis, Renouf, Parker, Peach

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

18th Player: Clarke

Tries: Pakulis (30), Partington (65)

Goals: Williamson (3/3)

St.Helens: Rotherham, Burke, Hardcastle, Woosey, McGifford, Harris, Gaskin, Hoyle-Holdsworth, Casey, McDonald, Travis, Rudge, Cunningham

Subs: (all used) Whitfield, Mottershead, McColm, Bridge

18th Player: Bawden (used)

Tries: Hardcastle (2), Gaskin (47), McGifford (75)

Goals: Gaskin (3/3)

#OurEra | #ThisIsYork ⚔