York Valkyrie 28-4 Leigh Leopards: Match Report

York Valkyrie remain in third place in the Betfred Women’s Super League, after a 28-4 win over Leigh Leopards at the LNER Community Stadium.

With debutants Peace Lekuru and Adoaha Akwiwu named in the starting line up, alongside Sarah Menaa making her home debut, it was a different looking Valkyrie side.

However, they still ran in five tries with the pick of them being from Eboni Partington, who finished off the best move of the game to score under the posts.

The win is their fourth consecutive victory as they look to secure their place in the end of season play offs.

York had the better of the opening sets, and looked to put pressure on the Leigh line. The best chance of the early stages was brought back for obstruction in the build up, as the Valkyrie looked to work an overlap out wide.

As Leigh settled, they also built pressure only for York’s defence to snuff out any opportunities.

It was York who scored first, when Evie Sexton went on a mazy run after taking a Georgie Dagger pass from 10 metres out. Williamson’s conversion went over after hitting the post.

It was the half hour mark before the next points came, when Georgie Dagger spotted a gap and accelerated through from 30 metres out.

The Valkyrie extended that lead soon afterwards, Lisa Parker made a break only to be brought down just short, before Tamzin Renouf found her way over from short range.

Leigh hit back just before the break on the back of a great cross field kick on the first of the set. Abi Johnston got on the end of it in space to crash over to reduce the deficit at half time to 16-4.

Straight after the break, an error from the restart set York up 20 metres out from the Leigh line. As the ball was shipped centrally, Agnes Wood darted over for a try converted by Williamson.

With T’Leesha Frederick-Maynard causing havoc amongst the Leigh defenders, York kept building pressure, but mistakes meant the Valkyrie couldn’t keep the scoreboard ticking over.

The best move of the game saw the ball go through hands before Eboni Partington touched down. Williamson released Wood into space, who had Andrade in support. She then found Partington who went in beneath the posts. Williamson added her fourth conversion of the afternoon to complete the win.

York: Partington, Lekuru, Parker, Akwiwu, Williamson, Dagger, Renouf, A.Wood, Bibby, Menaa, Andrade, Sexton, Bell

Subs (all used): Peach, McDaid, Frederick-Maynard, Moxon

18th Player: Kershaw

Tries: Sexton (15), Dagger (30), Renouf (34), Wood (41), Partington (72)

Goals: Williamson (4/5)

Leigh: Greenfield, Blackwood, Burke, Cobain, Johnston, Taylor, Knowles, Dainty, Howard, Johnson, Morris, Roberts, Latchford

Subs (all used): Fisher, Gordon, Brazier, Collins

18th player: Higson

Tries: Johnston (39)

Goals: Taylor (0/1)

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