Wigan rout reigning champions York in WSL opener

Emily Veivers (right) scored Wigan Warriors' fifth try in the first half

Betfred Women's Super League

Wigan (28) 40

Tries: Jones, Hunter, T Power, Banks 2, Veivers, S Power Goals: Rowe 6

York (0) 6

Tries: Andrade Goals: Williamson

Wigan Warriors served further notice there could be a new name at the top of Womens' Super League this season with an emphatic statement win against back-to-back champions York Valkyrie in the season opener.

Six days after booking a place in the Womens' Challenge Cup final with a 44-14 semi-final win over Leeds Rhinos, Denis Betts' side left the reigning champions on the canvas at the Brick Community Stadium.

In an explosive first half, the 2023 and 2024 champions Valkyrie conceded five tries as Wigan dominated possession and made best use of it.

It was 13 minutes before Molly Jones went over after a break and assist from Ellise Derbyshire, but Wigan had another through Eva Hunter four minutes later, and a third after Tiana Power's dazzling run from the right flank to score.

If it was an opening period that left York stunned, a try from Grace Banks, with a strong finish through two tackles, and an Emily Veivers score after she reacted quickest to a loose ball a minute from the break left them flattened.

Izzy Rowe's boot proved reliable with four goals for the extras.

The only respite to the relentless waves of Wigan pressure came during a long injury break as medics attended to York centre Tamzin Renouf, who was stretchered off after 35 minutes.

While there was later positive news about Renouf, the half-time break did nothing to blunt the Warriors hunger, and Mia Atherton posted an enormous hit on Izzy Brennan straight from the restart.

Shania Power matched her sister's first-half try on 51 minutes and Banks claimed a second, both converted, to put Wigan 40-0 to the good in the closing stages.

A consolation try from Savannah Andrade three minutes before the buzzer, with Ellie Williamson adding two points, allowed the visitors, who had won on their past five visits to Wigan, little consolation.

But it could not mask the fact that the tectonic plates have clearly shifted in the close season as Wigan look to add a second Women's Super League title following a first and only win in 2018.

Wigan: Banks; T Power T, Wilson, M Jones, Derbyshire; Foubister, Rowe; Coleman, Wilton, Gregory-Haselden, Hunter, S Power, Williams.

Interchanges: Marsh, C Jones, Veivers, Atherton.

York: Dagger; Partington, Renouf, Rampton, Kershaw; Rihari, Williamson; Wood, Peach, Hornby, Andrade, Parker, Bell.

Interchanges: Marshall, Stimpson, Moxon, Brennan.

Referee: Freddie Lincoln.