York Valkyrie 26-6 Huddersfield Giants: Match Report

York Valkyrie picked up another win in the Betfred Women’s Super League, beating Huddersfield Giants 26-6 at the LNER Community Stadium.

After building a 14-6 first half lead with tries from Emma Kershaw, Ellie WIlliamson and Agnes Wood, it was then the final five minutes before the scores changed again.

In a second half with few chances for either side, there were only five minutes to go when Peace Lekuru scored for York, and Jas Bell added another just before the hooter.

The Valkyrie stay in third place in the table, two points behind St.Helens in second.

A bright start from the Valkyrie saw Savannah Andrade go close in the opening minutes, taking a good short ball from Tamzin Renouf. After gaining possession back from a Huddersfield error, Eboni Partington threw a looping pass to Emma Kershaw, who galloped over in the corner. Izzy Brennan hit the posts with her conversion attempt.

Agnes Wood scored next, finding her way through a mass of defenders after a great Izzy Bibby break set the Valkyrie up in good position. Jas Bell converted.

The Valkyrie extended their lead with a lovely run from Ellie Williamson. She took the ball towards the defence on the angle, and arched her way around the edges to score. She couldn’t convert her own try but the Valkyrie were 14-0 ahead and still to be tested defensively.

York were starting to play with confidence, keen to keep the ball alive in attack and producing some strong defence. However, it was the Giants who scored next when former Valkyrie, Eva Izumi scooted down the right to touch down. Sam Hulme added the conversion to close the gap to 14-6 at half time.

The Valkyrie had the best chance of the opening stages of the second half when Eboni Partington was brought down short of the line after Jas Bell and Ellie Williamson had brought them close. However, that was the only opportunity either team had until the last quarter of the game.

Rhiannion Marshall was sent to the sin bin just before the hour mark, and despite Huddersfield having plenty of possession, the Valkyrie rode the storm. Marshall was then held up over the line with her first touch on her return.

After being awarded a penalty for a tip tackle 10 metres out, York elected to go for goal but Williamson missed her attempt.

With minutes remaining, the first points of the second half finally came when Peace Lekuru showed remarkable strength to force her way over in the corner. Rhiannion Marshall added the goal from the touchline.

Jas Bell completed the scoring in the final minutes of the game, crashing over from a fast Sinead Peach pass. Marshall again added the extra two points as the Valkyrie’s winning run stretched to six matches.

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

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

18th Player: Akwiwu

Tries: Kershaw (5), Wood (22), Williamson (30), Lekuru (75), Bell (80)

Goals: Brennan (0/1), Bell (1/1), Williamson (0/2), Marshall (2/2)

Sin Bin: Marshall (57)

Huddersfield: Brown, Davies, Izumi, Copley, Barraclough, Grady, Hulme, Hobbs, Preson, Harrap, Exley, Hutchison, Oates

Subs (all used): Wilkinson, McPherson, Whitehead, Townend

18th Player: Jackson

Tries: Izumi (40)

Goals: Hulme (1/1)

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