Leeds end York’s unbeaten run in the Women’s Super League

Leeds Rhinos ended York Valkyrie’s 14-game unbeaten run in the Women’s Super League to keep pace with leaders Wigan at the top of the table.

The Rhinos ran out 16-10 winners at York Community Stadium to avenge last season’s Grand Final defeat by the Valkyries.

Tries from Shona Hoyle and Caitlin Beevers and four Ruby Enright goals saw the Rhinos home after Eboni Partington put the home side ahead and Lacey Owen crossed to put York within a score.

In the other WSL game, newcomers Barrow suffered their third straight defeat, going down 10-6 at Warrington Wolves.

York WSL’s unbeaten run ends

The last time Valkyrie suffered defeat in a Women’s Super League regular season match was in July 2022 when they went down to St Helens.

Leeds have pushed them closer than most in that good run since, spoiling what would have been a 100% regular season record last season with a 12-12 draw after beating them in the 2022 Grand Final – York’s last defeat in competition as a whole. .

They went 10 league games unbeaten last season, won both their play-off games to clinch the title and started this league season with wins over Saints and Barrow.

Valkyrie announced they were aiming to make it three wins from three this season as they look to become the first team to retain the title when Partington completed a maneuvering move and Tara Jane Stanley kicked the extras.

Leeds hit back as Hoyle capitalized on a Beevers break and offload, and with Enright converting and adding a penalty, the Rhinos were 8-6 ahead at the break.

Beevers then scored for the third successive game and Enright again added extras and a penalty meant Owen’s late try was not enough.

The wolves are back

Warrington were on the receiving end of a 68-0 thrashing by the Rhinos in their previous outing, but they picked up their second win of the season against newly-promoted Barrow.

The Cumbria side, who lost to Wigan and York in their opening games, made it tough for the home side but Dani Bound’s legs got them over the line for the opener, Charlie Magraw converting for a 6-0 half-time lead .

The Raiders equalized through Vanessa Temple’s try and Jodie Litherland’s conversion, but Warrington capitalized on an accidental offside by Barrow close to their own line which gave Abi Johnston the opportunity to score.