Holders St Helens edge past York Valkyrie to set up Challenge Cup derby final

ST HELENS 10 YORK VALKYRIE 6
KASEY SMITH, Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens, Sunday

ST HELENS held on for a narrow win over a spirited York side, with Saints now aiming for a fifth straight Challenge Cup victory when they take on Wigan at Wembley next month.

It should have been a lot more comfortable for Saints, who piled on the pressure for most of the first half, but had little to show for it as York defended resolutely.

York seized the momentum in the second half, shortly after going two scores behind. They were bolstered by the impact of Rhiannion Marshall off the bench, whose strong carries gained valuable metres and finally gave Valkyrie a chance to challenge the Saints’ defensive line, but it was not enough to break their opposition.

St Helens were dominant in terms of field position – they were camped out in the Valkyrie half for large parts of the first forty but had little to show for it. Only a converted penalty separated the sides at the break, and it was hard to call who would book their place at Wembley even in the dying stages of the game.

Whatever shapes the Saints side threw in the first forty, York were there to keep them at bay. Early on, there was good link-up play between Zoe Harris and Shona Hoyle, with the latter breaking through — a move that should have resulted in a try for Darcy Stott, but for a last-ditch effort from Ellie Williamson, who forced a knock-on over the line.

Set after set, York held their ground defensively. Despite the relentless pressure on their line, they didn’t seem to be particularly tiring. However, the sheer volume of defending did have an effect, leading to a few careless challenges which resulted in Saints penalties.

First, Georgia Sutherland was penalised for a high tackle, giving Faye Gaskin the opportunity to nudge Saints ahead 2-0. Then, just before the hooter, another high shot — this time from Williamson on Jodie Cunningham — handed Gaskin a chance to push the margin to four. However, her goal attempt fell short.

York came out firing in the second half and were presented with an early chance to level with Saints penalised for being offside. Rhiannion Marshall’s kick, though, rebounded off the posts and back into play.

A Phoebe Hook error nearly proved costly when she spilled the ball just a metre or so off her line, but Saints came up with a big defensive effort to force Emma Kershaw into touch.

After a period of York pressure, normal service resumed. And Saints were getting closer. Whitfield’s powerful surge toward the line set the stage for Cunningham to deliver a well-timed pass to Hoyle, who muscled her way over to extend Saints’ lead — confirmed after a review by video referee James Vella. This time, Gaskin made no mistake with the conversion.

More good work by Williamson, as she broke through, caused Saints problems who failed to collect Marshall’s subsequent last play kick on the full.

Facing the Saints goal-line, Marshall threw an outrageous dummy to open up a huge gap as she sneaked in from acting half, cutting the deficit down to just two points, following Williamson’s conversion.

York kept battling away, but eventually their luck ran out, and another late high hit proved to be their undoing once more. Facing the posts, Saints went for goal and it was Zoe Harris – taking over from the injured Gaskin – who added two more to Saints’ scoreline.

GAMESTAR: Jodie Cunningham’s drop-off balls close to the York line were the key to unlocking the Valkyrie defence.

GAMEBREAKER: Zoe Harris’ late conversion finally broke York who were looking to snatch a win.

HIGHLIGHT REEL: Rhiannion Marshall’s dummy was a well executed bit of trickery which put York right back in the contest.

MATCHFACTS
ST HELENS
1 Beri Salihi
2 Phoebe Hook
3 Erin Stott
4 Amy Hardcastle
25 Dani McGifford
6 Zoe Harris
7 Faye Gaskin
16 Darcy Stott
17 Caitlin Casey
10 Chantelle Crowl
11 Shona Hoyle
12 Emily Rudge
13 Jodie Cunningham
Subs (all used)
9 Katie Mottershead
8 Vicky Whitfield
15 Georgia Sutherland
23 Luci McColm
18th woman (not used)
24 Alyx Bridge
Also in 21-woman squad
14 Naomi Williams
18 Rachel Woosey
19 Caitlin Maylor

Tries: Hoyle (48)
Goals: Gaskin 2/3, Harris 1/1

VALKYRIE
1 Georgie Dagger
2 Eboni Partington
3 Tamzin Renouf
23 Jasmine Rampton
25 Emma Kershaw
6 Sade Rihari
7 Ellie Williamson
17 Izzy Brennan
9 Sinead Peach
16 Lisa Parker
12 Savannah Andrade
8 Liv Wood
10 Jas Bell
Subs (all used)
11 Rhiannion Marshall
14 Izzy Bibby
18 Alex Stimpson
25 Zoe Hornby
18th woman (not used)
24 Jess Sharp
Also in 21-woman squad
20 Evie Sexton
21 Tara Moxon
24 Demi Fisher