SAINTS Women will face reigning champions York Valkyrie in the Betfred Super League Grand Final at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Saturday, 6 October (KO 4.30pm).
League Leaders' Shield winners Saints defeated a determined Wigan Warriors side 18-4 to secure home advantage in this year’s Grand Final - venue being determined by the highest place finish.
Second rower Emile Rudge broke the deadlock after a tight opening period, but Wigan hit back just three minutes later with a stunning move which saw Georgia Wilson send Jenna Foubister in under the posts.
But Isabel Rowe missed the conversion and Leah Burke’s brilliant try-saving tackle then denied Anna Davies as Saints clung on to 6-4 lead into the break.
Saints extended their advantage within 50 seconds of the restart when Burke went in at the left corner with further scores from Rachael Woosey and another from Burke’s cementing their progress.
The result means Matty Smith’s side are just 80 minutes away from another historic treble winning season after lifting both the Women’s Challenge Cup and the League Leaders Shield already this year.
York overcame a nerve wracking 12-10 semi-final win against Leeds Rhinos at AMT Headingley to book their place in this year’s Grand Final. Leeds had finished second in the table, one place ahead of York on points difference and the semi-final was equally tight.
A strong start for the Valkyrie saw them almost open the scoring after just five minutes but it took a clever run from Georgie Hetherington to set them up just outside the 10 metre area. On the next of the set, Kelsey Gentles used her strength to force her way over for the opening try with Rhiannon Marshall converting to make it 6-0 at half time.
York crossed again immediately after the breakthrough Savannah Andrade to put the visitors in control – but with 16 minutes to go Ebony Stead scored the Rhinos first points of the game and a Keara Bennett conversion halved the deficit to just six points.
Late drama then followed when Tamzin Renouf was sin binned with six minutes left on the clock and Lucy Murray was able to take advantage, but that was unconverted, and Lindsay Anfield’s side held on and will now face St Helens in two weeks’ time.
Although the game is being hosted at the TWS, it is a Grand Final - and as such is an all-pay event with tickets reported to already selling strongly.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel