YORK VALKYRIE 28 LEIGH LEOPARDS 4
LORRAINE MARSDEN, LNER Community Stadium, Sunday
YORK VALKYRIE had to work hard in the heat for a crucial two points that keeps them third in the league.
Leigh turned up at the LNER Community Stadium in a determined mood and were never going to roll over for the hosts, who handed league debuts to Ugandan Peace Lekuru and former Leeds Rhinos player Adaoha Akwiwu.
After a nip and tuck opening quarter pf an hour, in which time both teams had their chances, it was York who opened the scoring through Evie Sexton.
Leigh’s Abi Johnston attempted an intercept five metres out from her own line, but ended up knocking on and it was a mistake that proved costly, as from the resulting repeat set Sexton spotted a gap in the defensive live and went in for the opening score.
But Leigh’s heads did not drop and they created plenty of chances for themselves, but they were unable to find that final play to breech the York defence. Instead it was the host that went on to double their lead as the half-hour mark approached.
Reigning Woman of Steel Georgie Dagger dummied her way through the Leigh defence before a change of pace allowed her to charge over. That score was quickly followed by a third from Tamzin Renouf who, despite Leigh’s best efforts, was able to touch down in the tightest of spots, but Ellie Williamson missed her only conversion of the afternoon.
Leigh finally got some reward for their efforts when Emma Knowles’ kick towards the right corner was well taken by Johnston to score in the corner. However Amy Taylor, back at the club on loan from St Helens, was unable to add the conversion and it remained 16-4 at the break.
The second half was only minutes old when York increased their lead when Agnes Wood went in under the posts to score.
Much as they had done in the first half, Leigh battled on and kept their hosts quiet for much of the rest of the half, whilst also looking for their own way through.
But with seven minutes left on the clock excellent offloading work down the middle of the field ended in a break for Eboni Partington, who touched down under the posts to complete the scoring.
VALKYRIE: 2 Eboni Partington, 30 Peace Lekuru, 16 Lisa Parker, 31 Adaoha Akwiwu, 7 Ellie Williamson, 1 Georgie Dagger, 3 Tamzin Renouf, 22 Agnes Wood, 14 Izzy Bibby, 27 Sarah Menaa, 12 Savannah Andrade, 20 Evie Sexton, 10 Jas Bell. Subs (all used): 9 Sinead Peach, 28 Charlotte McDaid, 29 T’Leesha Frederick-Maynard, 21 Tara Moxon
Tries: Sexton (15), Dagger (30), Renouf (34), A Wood (42), Partington (73); Goals: Williamson 4/5
LEOPARDS: 5 Becky Greenfield, 2 Toryn Blackwood, 6 Rhianna Burke, 11 Storm Cobain, 28 Abi Johnston, 24 Amy Taylor, 32 Emma Knowles, 8 Eleanor Dainty, 9 Kate Howard, 16 Lucy Johnson, 20 Keli Morris, 26 Hannah Roberts, 27 Abby Latchford. Subs (all used): 10 Alice Fisher, 14 Abi Gordon, 15 Sam Brazier, 17 Claire Collins
Tries: A Johnston (40); Goals: A Taylor 0/1
SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 16-0, 16-4; 22-4, 28-4
Half-time: 16-4