Warriors women lose to Valkyrie

[Warriors News]

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Women fall to defeat against York Valkyrie.
• Sinead Doria scored the only try of the game for Wigan.
• FT | Wigan Warriors Women 4-36 York Valkyrie.

Match Report as Wigan Warriors Women fall to defeat against York Valkyrie at Robin Park Arena.

Wigan started brightly as they scored after just a minute through a Sinead Doria chip and chase but Valkyrie fought back with two tries for 10-4 to the visitors at half time.

The Warriors were forced into numerous changes in the second half as York ran away with the victory, scoring five unanswered tries to complete a 36-4 win.

Report

Wigan started with electric pace as Sinead Doria opened the scoring after just a minute. The scrum half hoisted a kick to the air which was allowed to bounce by Stanley with the ball falling straight back into the arms of Doria who completed the move with a try in the right hand corner, Salihi couldn’t add the extras and it was 4-0.

Shortly afterwards, a pass out wide to Salihi saw the full back clattered by Tamzin Renouf, who dislodged the ball. Salihi was okay to continue but York had the scrum past half way, some slick passing saw Lacey Owen through a gap to level the scores, with Stanley unable to convert.

An even contest ensued as both sides had their chances. York took the lead for the first time in the match on 24 minutes as a scrum allowed the Valkyrie deep into Wigan’s half, sending Rhiannion Marshall through a gap which was improved by Tara-Jane Stanley from the tee for 10-4 to the visitors.

Wigan almost made a quick response, as Rachel Thompson spotted a gap to break through on the left edge before sending a pass to the wing for Anna Davies to finish off the move, but it was pulled back by the referee for a forward pass and it remained 10-4 to York.

The Valkyrie were closest to getting the next try as they had a few efforts at the line but the Warriors held firm to see the score at 10-4 going into the half time break.

A great set play in the early stages of the second half saw Wigan come close before a kick towards the sticks from Doria was spilled by Hetherington, the goal line drop out got Wigan back in possession but the chances came to nothing.

York extended their lead in the 46th minute as good passing play down the right edge saw Carrie Roberts dive over for York’s third try, though Stanley couldn’t convert.

Just a few moments later York were over again as Carrie Roberts got her second of the afternoon. The York Centre spotting a gap in the Warriors defence to ease through, this time Stanley added the extras and it was 20-4 to the Valkyrie.

York added another two quick tries as Savannah Andrade eased through, before Rhiannion Marshall barged over from close range to extend York’s lead, both converted by Stanley to make it 32-4.

Wigan were looking for a way back into the game though, and went close in the 68th minute as Mary Coleman made a half break before play was sent left, Molly Jones was the last player out wide and was stopped just short of the goal line.

York added another try in the 70th minute as an error close to their goal line allowed York another full set from close range, this time the ball went wide to Emma Kershaw to complete the move, Marshall was unable to convert from the touchline and it was 36-4.

Wigan had the best of the final few minutes of the game, but couldn’t convert their efforts into any more points as they fell to defeat at Robin Park Arena as the victory saw York Valkyrie crowned League Leaders for 2023.

Wigan Warriors: Beri Salihi, Rebecca Greenfield, Laureane Biville, Molly Jones, Anna Davies, Rachel Thompson, Sinead Doria, Cerys Jones, Emma Dwyer, Lucy Johnson, Eva Hunter, Mary Coleman, Victoria Molyneux.

Interchange: Carys Marsh, Sarah Bardsley, Bethany Hayes, Kaitlin Hilton.

18th Player: Jodie Morris.

Tries: Doria (1′)

Goals: Salihi 0/1

York Valkyrie: Tara-Jane Stanley, Georgie Hetherington, Carrie Roberts, Tamzin Renouf, Ashleigh Hyde, Sade Rihari, Rhiannion Marshall, Elisa Akpa, Sinead Peach, Aimee Staveley, Lacey Owen, Savannah Andrade, Olivia Wood.

Interchange: Emma Kershaw, Daisy Sanderson, Jess Sharp, Jasmine Bell.

18th Player: Ellie Hendry.

Tries: Owen (7′), Marshall (24′, 58′), Roberts (46′, 50′), Andrade (54′), Kershaw (71′)

Goals: Stanley 4/6, Marshall 0/1

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