Wigan Warriors fall short against York Valkyrie in pulsating Women’s Super League Grand Final

Wigan Warriors’ treble hopes were ended as York Valkyrie claimed a narrow 8-6 victory in the Women’s Super League Grand Final at the Brick Community Stadium.

The Warriors were beaten in a tight contest on Sunday evening, with York’s defence holding firm to secure the trophy after a hard-fought 80 minutes.

York opened the scoring after eight minutes when Sinead Peach scooted from dummy half and barged over from close range. Ellie Williamson added the conversion to put the Valkyrie 6-0 ahead.

Wigan responded after 18 minutes as Jenna Foubister made a flying break following a dummy before finding the supporting Mia Atherton, who finished the move. Izzy Rowe converted to bring the scores level at 6-6.

The Warriors then thought they had taken the lead when Anna Davies dived over in the corner, but the video referee ruled that she had gone into touch. York’s Amelie Lenham produced a superb tackle to deny the Wigan winger.

Wigan were then reduced to 12 players after 27 minutes when Atherton was sin-binned for a tip tackle on Jasmine Bell. York opted to take the two points, with Williamson converting the resulting penalty to restore their lead.

The Warriors were down to 12 again just before half-time when Eva Hunter was sent to the sin-bin after being judged to have led with the elbow in a carry. York took an 8-6 lead into the interval after an entertaining opening 40 minutes.

Wigan pushed for a way back into the game after the break, but York’s goal-line defence continued to hold firm.

The Warriors came close again with 10 minutes remaining when Davies looked set to score in the corner, only for Eboni Partington to produce a sublime tackle and force her into touch.

York continued to defend their narrow advantage through the closing stages, and Wigan could not find a way through.

The full-time hooter confirmed an 8-6 victory for the Valkyrie, who were crowned Women’s Super League champions after a gripping Grand Final.

It brought a disappointing end to Wigan’s hopes of completing a second successive treble, but York held their nerve to claim the trophy in a closely fought contest.

Wigan: Grace Banks; Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Molly Jones, Ellise Derbyshire; Jenna Foubister, Izzy Rowe; Mary Coleman, Remi Wilton, Lucie Sams, Eva Hunter, Cerys Jones, Megan Williams. Subs: Carys Marsh, Mia Atherton, Bethan Dainton, Beri Salihi. 18th woman: Jade Gregory-Haselden.

Tries: Atherton | Goals: Rowe 1/1

York: Monique Donovan; Emma Kershaw, Petra Woods, Amelie Lenham, Eboni Partington; Adaoha Akwiwu, Ellie Williamson; Agnes Wood, Sinead Peach, Megan Pakulis, Olivia Wood, Savannah Andrade, Lisa Parker. Subs: Jasmine Bell, Isabel Bibby, Isabelle Brennan, Brooke Henderson. 18th woman: Olivia Turner.

Tries: Peach | Goals: Williamson 2/2

Referee: Aaron Moore