York Valkyrie celebrate first Women's Super League Grand Final success
They beat Leeds Rhinos 16-6 at LNER Community Stadium on Sunday (8 August)
York Valkyrie clinched the Women's Super League Grand Final for the first time after Lacey Owen's second-half try wrapped up a 16-6 win over Leeds Rhinos at the LNER Stadium.
Their victory put the seal on an unbeaten league campaign for the Valkyrie and also exacted a measure of revenge, having fallen short against the same team last season.
A record final crowd of 4,547 saw Tamzin Renouf's early try get the hosts off on the front foot before two errors under the high ball brought a juddering end to a brief second-half revival by the Rhinos.
Nerves had been understandably evident among the home side in the early stages as Leeds pressed through Caitlin Beevers, who was denied a third-minute opener due to a knock-on.
But Renouf put the first points on the board after Owen pierced the Leeds line and only a superb saving tackle from Amy Hardcastle denied the same player a second as York looked to press home their advantage.
Tara Jane Stanley surged through a gap in the final play of the first half to extend her side's lead to eight at the interval, but the Rhinos briefly threatened a comeback early in the second period.
Ruby Enright kicked Leeds on to the scoreboard then Beevers came close to twisting over after a superb break from Kaya Glynn.
But the Leeds revival stalled when the normally dependable Beevers spilled a high ball and let Stanley restore Valkyrie's eight-point advantage, before another spill, this time from Sophie Nuttall, led to York's second try as Liv Gale flicked a neat pass for Owen to crash over.
Stanley's kick made it 16-2 just past the hour mark, and rigorous home defence kept the gallant Rhinos at bay until Caitlin Casey flashed over for a consolation on the hooter, with most of the Valkyrie side already celebrating.