York and Saints through to women's Grand Final
Defending champions York Valkyrie celebrate reaching the Grand Final for the third straight season
- Published
St Helens and York Valkyrie reached the Women’s Super League Grand Final after beating Wigan and Leeds respectively in the eliminator semi-finals.
Defending champions York survived a late fightback to beat the Rhinos 12-10 at Headingley thanks to tries from Kelsey Gentles and Savannah Andrade, and two Rhiannion Marshall goals.
Saints were pushed hard by Wigan before the break, but Leah Burke’s second-half double helped them pull away to a 18-4 home win.
The sides will meet in the Grand Final at Saints' Totally Wicked Stadium on Sunday, 6 October with Saints bidding for a league and cup double, and Valkyrie looking to become the first team to defend the title.
Savannah Andrade touches down for York's second try
Valkyrie hang on in grandstand finish
Leeds pipped defending champions York to second place in the league on points difference to gain home advantage for the semi-finals.
But Valkyrie dominated the opening quarter and were ahead when Gentles twisted over for her first try of the season.
Georgie Hetherington almost added a second, but knocked-on as she crashed over from close range, and York had Carrie Roberts to thank for preserving the 6-0 lead at half-time with a try-saving tackle on Olivia Whitehead.
Andrade powered over straight after the break, but Ebony Stead sped past the York defence to cross and Keara Bennett’s goal cut the deficit to 12-6 with 13 minutes left.
Valkyrie had Tamzin Renouf sin-binned in the 74th minute for late contact, and Leeds had a chance to level when 2024 Woman of Steel nominee Lucy Murray touched down with two minutes left.
But Bennett could not land the touchline conversion and York held on to reach their third successive Grand Final.
Leah Burke took her try tally to 27 for the season
Burke's two tries seals Saints' passage
St Helens finished eight points clear of the fourth-placed Warriors and were big favourites after reeling off 13 consecutive wins on their way to the League Leaders Shield.
Emile Rudge burst through under the posts to put Saints ahead in a tight opening period, but Wigan hit back just three minutes later with a stunning move which started on their own 20-metre line.
Anna Davies was released on a scintillating run on the right edge before passing inside to the supporting Georgia Wilson who sent Jenna Foubister in under the posts.
But Isabel Rowe missed a simple conversion and Leah Burke’s brilliant try-saving tackle then denied Davies as Saints nursed a fragile 6-4 lead into the break.
Saints extended their advantage within 50 seconds of the restart when Burke went in at the left corner after Wigan made a hash of the kick-off.
Rachael Woosey crossed moments later following Emily Rudge’s powerful run, and Burke’s second finish in the left corner late on cemented the Challenge Cup winners' progress.