HolmeKnight

I wonder why the squad for Barrow isn't out yet. Didn't it have to be announced yesterday? Could this lead to a fine or points deduction?

Apparently, it's now Saturday 6 April 1pm at St. John's. Poor result this, I think. (I'll also have a mad dash to get to LNER for City's match!)

And now York City are announcing their next Ladies match against Barnsley at the LNER on Sunday 7 April. Will someone please confirm when and where Valkyrie will be playing Featherstone Rovers on that weekend?

It was noticeable that they only pulled out of the Challenge Cup after the draw was made. It struck me they didn't fancy playing York and/or Featherstone. I may be being unfair but if they weren't ready why didn't they withdraw earlier so that another club could have taken their place? They also left WSL1 unbalanced with only 5 clubs two years ago when earlier notice could have allowed a restructure.

It can't be Saturday. York City are at home.

Not sure these dates are right. Sheffield vs York is definitely Sunday.

I went to collect my season ticket on Wednesday (10th) and was told they were not available as there was an error in the printing and they were having to be reprinted. I said I had heard that other people had already collected theirs, which they confirmed, so I don't really understand what's going on. (I also had a fruitless journey on the day they were due out as they hadn't arrived on time.) I wish now I had gone for the digital version!

Doesn't suit me at all. As far as I'm concerned, Saturdays are for football, Sundays for rugby league. I support York City, the Knights and the Valkyrie. I can't be at Hartlepool and Newcastle at the same time!

Well I know Liam Harris is popular but I didn't know the sun shines out of his ........

I too thought of Jess Sharp and T'leesha. Sorry to be pedantic but I think her name is Frederick-Maynard!

Another England International signed - excellent acquisition - but it seems the squad has five out-and-out wingers, plus Emma Kershaw and Georgie Hetherington who both played there last season. I wonder if Carrie Roberts didn't want to go again next year or if the club prefers to bring on younger players. With Aimee Staveley retiring, Elisa Akpa returning to France and Grace Field defecting to Leeds it seems to me the squad is a bit light in the forward department. The first choice pack looks great but there's not much cover for injuries. However, I'm sure there'll be a plan! I really enjoyed watching the Valkyrie last season. A pity it's such a long break before next. Do others agree the squad looks a bit unbalanced?

WSL Coach of the Year: Lindsay Anfield Woman of Steel: Sinead Peach Very well deserved. Congratulations to both.

A wonderful achievement. Undisputedly the best team in the country. There should be a civic reception. No York team has ever achieved anything like this before.

Yes, but that was London Broncos, not London Skolars!

1st October is the week AFTER!

In other words, fouled in the act of scoring or fouled to prevent scoring. Obviously I can see the difference but don't understand why one is considered worse than the other.

Isn't a penalty try normally an eight-pointer with an extra kick in front of the posts?

York can only beat you in thick mud. You have the Indian sign over them. Their last effort in the 1895 semi-final was abysmal.

I've been going on about the arbitrary nature of the play-offs deciding the championship but at least it looks like being a bit fairer this year. Last season the semi-finals and final were held at "neutral" venues. I'm pleased to see that 1st and 2nd get home advantage this year with the highest placed winner also getting a home final. Hoping the Valkyrie can get what they deserve this year!

These clashes have annoyed me all season. I missed Halifax vs Knights when Valkyrie played St Helens and I'll miss Bradford away tomorrow to see the ladies lift the Shield (with an interesting double-header thrown in). Fortunately, I agree with others that missing a visit to Odsal is no great loss. It was fortunate too that I was able to do away double-headers with Huddersfield/Keighley and Wigan/Widnes - both extremely enjoyable. By the way, does anyone know the date of the play-off semi-final? I believe it's a home match and 23/24 September would make sense if the final is 7/8 October. As far as I know, a charity football match is booked at the LNER for Sunday 24th.

Yes, I know but does that make it fair? There is some justification in men's Super League because the loop fixtures and Magic Weekend cause an imbalance, but that doesn't apply in the women's game.

York Valkyrie played 9, lost NONE. Saint Helens played 9, lost THREE. Leeds Rhinos played 9 lost THREE. I rest my case. If Valkyrie do not win the Grand Final it will be an absolute travesty. If Saints or Leeds win it it will be a complete embarrassment. After next Sunday's matches I expect Valkyrie to win the league by FIVE points in a 20-point season - a 25% margin. This is the equivalent of a football club in the EFL winning their league by 34 points! And yet it seems that the majority of rugby league "fans" are still happy for the championship to be decided by a one-off play-off game. I may be in a minority but I just don't get this.

It may be an old chestnut but it depends whether you believe in fairness or not.

I quite agree, but the RFL are not renowned for their common sense or fairness. For example, Leeds' "neutral" Cup semi-final was at Headingley.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of watching York Valkyrie win the Women's Super League for the second year running and without losing a game. (With all respect to Huddersfield that is not likely to change in the last game.) Considering their nearest challengers St Helens and Leeds have lost two and three games respectively (and still have to play each other again) I consider that this is an achievement worthy of champions. Unfortunately the RFL does not agree and dictates that they now have to beat two of their opponents again in order to be named champions. The play-off system was designed to settle leagues where the teams do not all play each other the same number of times (eg Men's Super League or some cricket competitions), not a league where everybody plays each other home and away. Can you imagine saying to Manchester City, "No, you didn't win the Premier League. You now have to beat two teams that finished below you in one-off games." There would quite rightly be uproar! I concede a) I am a York supporter, b) We knew the rules of the competition before it started, c) The play-offs are designed to add entertainment and excitement (and income?) at the end of the season, but I cannot help thinking that natural justice is not best served here. York pride themselves on their consistency (for example I cannot imagine them fielding a team as weak as Leeds did in losing to Huddersfield two weeks ago) but this seems to be a quality not particularly prized by the RFL. What is the status of the League Leaders' Shield anyway? It would be interesting to hear what others think. Personally, I sincerely hope that the Valkyrie can win the Grand Final for the first time. Leeds won it last year from third place. Were they really worthy champions?