The York Valkyrie claimed the Women’s Super League title for the third time after their defence repelled Wigan Warriors at the Brick Community Stadium. Despite being under constant pressure for most of a goalless second half, York held on to take a shock victory over the team many considered the favourite.
York emerged victorious by 8-6 over their opponents. The match’s standout performer was teenager Amelie Lenham, whose string of key interventions helped steer her side through a tight contest. A first-half try from Sinead Peach, combined with two goals from Ellie Williamson, proved sufficient for the win.
Lenham Leads the Way
Lenham went close to increasing York’s lead just after the break, but Wigan could not find the try that would have tied the game. Instead, York’s rearguard held firm as Wigan’s attack wilted under the pressure.
York’s plan was simple: defend, kick, repeat. They executed it to perfection. Lenham’s interventions were the standout moments of the match, and her performance earned her the award for best on the field.
Wigan’s Penalty Problems
The day at Wigan was spoiled by sin-binnings. Mia-Jayne Atherton and Eva Hunter were both shown the black card during the first half, with Atherton sin-binned for her part in a dangerous double tip tackle with Bethan Dainton on Jas Bell. Williamson answered by putting over the penalty to put York back in front.
Leon Pryce, the head coach at York, believed Hunter ought to have been shown a red card for a forearm to the throat of Williamson while Williamson was carrying the ball into contact. The decision did not change the final outcome, though.
The Try That Started It
In the early going, Peach broke through the Wigan defence near the try-line, spinning out a ninth-minute lead for York after starting the move himself. The visitors had the better of the opening exchanges, but Atherton brought Wigan level in the 18th minute following a fine break from Jenna Foubister.
Atherton’s try was a reminder of Wigan’s attacking class. But it was also the last moment of parity in the match.
Parker’s Night
While playing with a broken hand, Lisa Parker made 47 tackles. Afterwards, her fiance proposed to her on the touchline, and she said yes. It was that sort of night.
Parker’s durability was the backbone of York’s defence. Without the influential Tara Jane Stanley through concussion, York were odds against, but they dug deep into their well of resolve to shade a gripping Grand Final.
Proving Everyone Wrong
After the match, Agnes Wood appeared on BBC Radio York, where she made plain that York had something to demonstrate.
“That was incredible,” she said. “All the girls worked so hard. It was massive from everyone.”
The biggest challenge in the second half came from Wigan, who gave it back with real force. Our main goal then became scrambling and making sure they did not score, since that was the central aim of the entire half.
The whole group felt pushed by the fact that no one was giving them any credit, and they really wanted to show everyone they were wrong. Their start to the season wasn’t the strongest, but they asked whether they had proved everyone wrong.
“All the coaching staff have backed us 100% from beginning to end and they just said to keep going and keep going and we have and I’m just so proud of all the girls. They’ve put in so much work throughout the whole season.”
The Match Line-Up
| Team | Try | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Wigan (6) | Atherton | Rowe |
| York (8) | Peach | Williamson 2 |
Banks was part of Wigan’s starting eleven alongside Davies, Wilson, M Jones, and Derbyshire, with Foubister and Rowe behind them. The side also featured Coleman, Wilton, Sams, E. Hunter, C Jones, and Williams. Marsh, Atherton, Dainton, and Salihi came off the bench.
Donovan was among those who played for York, along with Kershaw, Woods, Leniham, and Partington. Akwiwu and Williamson also took part. The remainder of the side consisted of A. Wood, Peach, Pakulis, O. Wood, Andrade, and Parker. Bell, Bibby, Brennan, and Henderson were kept in reserve.
The Numbers
- Score: York 8, Wigan 6
- Player of the match: Amelie Lenham
- Sin-binned: Mia-Jayne Atherton, Eva Hunter
- Tries: Sinead Peach (York), Mia-Jayne Atherton (Wigan)
- Goals: Ellie Williamson 2, Rowe
- Tackles: Lisa Parker 47
- Proposal: Lisa Parker said yes
- Title count: York’s third, Wigan’s none
A Deserved Win
York earned the win, and their strategy was straightforward: they defended, kicked, and trusted each other to keep the line intact. It worked perfectly.
The match belonged to York’s refusal to give way. Wigan piled pressure on them in the second half, and York kept standing firm.
York secured the title, and they did so by proving every doubter wrong throughout their campaign.
Source material: “Heroic York rearguard stuns Wigan in Grand Final,” the BBC.
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