York Valkyrie set to defend Betfred Women’s Super League title against St Helens

York Valkyrie will defend their Betfred Women’s Super League title against the 2024 League Leaders’ St Helens at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Sunday 6 October (KO 4.30pm) – live on Sky Sports.

Saints defeated a determined Wigan Warriors side 18-4 to secure home advantage in this year’s Grand Final following their first-place finish at the end of the regular season.

Emily Rudge was the player who broke the deadlock after a tight opening period, but Wigan hit back just three minutes later with a stunning move which saw Georgia Wilson send Jenna Foubister in under the posts.

But Isabel Rowe missed the conversion and Leah Burke’s brilliant try-saving tackle then denied Anna Davies as Saints clung onto 6-4 lead into the break.

Saints extended their advantage within 50 seconds of the restart when Burke went in at the left corner with further scores from Rachael Woosey and another from Burke’s cementing their progress.

The result means Matty Smith’s side are just 80 minutes away from another historic treble winning season after lifting both the Women’s Challenge Cup and the League Leaders Shield already this year.

York overcame a nerve wracking 12-10 semi-final win against Leeds Rhinos at AMT Headingley to book their place in this year’s Grand Final.  Leeds had finished second in the table, one place ahead of York on points difference and the semi-final was equally tight.

A strong start for the Valkyrie saw them almost open the scoring after just five minutes but it took a clever run from Georgie Hetherington to set them up just outside the 10 metre area. On the next of the set, Kelsey Gentles used her strength to force her way over for the opening try with Rhiannon Marshall converting to make it 6-0 at half time. 

York crossed again immediately after the breakthrough Savannah Andrade to put the visitors in control – but with 16 minutes to go Ebony Stead scored the Rhinos first points of the game and a Keara Bennett conversion halved the deficit to just six points.

Late drama then followed when Tamzin Renouf was sin binned with six minutes left on the clock and Lucy Murray was able to take advantage, but that was unconverted, and Lindsay Anfield’s side held on and will now face St Helens in two weeks’ time.

Earlier in the day, Leigh Leopards booked their place in the Women’s National Championship Final following their 46-06 defeat of Sheffield Eagles at Twist Lane.

The Leopards will now face London Broncos in the National Championship Final on Saturday 28 September at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham. The winner of that fixture will then have a chance at promotion to the Super League if they beat 8th placed Featherstone Rovers in a double header before the Women’s Grand Final.  

The Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final will take place at The Totally Wicked Stadium on Sunday 6 October (KO 4.30pm) with tickets on sale now.