Valkyrie fight back to stun Saints and retain title

Betfred Women's Super League Grand Final

St Helens (8) 8

Tries: Burke Goals: Gaskin 2

York Valkyrie (6) 18

Tries: Owen, Partington, Gentles Goals: Brennan, Marshall 2

York Valkyrie made history by becoming the first team to retain the Women’s Super League crown as they denied St Helens the treble on their own turf.

Saints, with this season's Challenge Cup and League Leaders Shield already in their trophy cabinet, were favourites to add more silverware after taking an 8-6 half-time advantage at Totally Wicked Stadium.

Lacey Owen put Valkyrie ahead, but Saints responded to lead through the league’s top try-scorer Leah Burke and a brace of penalties from Faye Gaskin.

However, Valkyrie – who were the only team to defeat Saints during the regular league season – hammered away with their kicking game and forced a series of errors from their opponents in damp conditions.

Tries from former Saints winger Eboni Partington and Kelsey Gentles ensured that Valkyrie fought back to claim their second successive title, having beaten Leeds Rhinos in the 2023 final.

More to follow.

St Helens: Salihi, Hook, E Stott, Woosey, Burke, Harris, Gaskin, Whitfield, Jones, Crowl, Rudge, Travis, Cunningham.

Interchanges: N Williams, D Stott, Mottershead, M Williams.

York: Hetherington, Roberts, Komaitai, Parker, Partington, Rihari, Renouf, Wood, Brennan, Bell, Owen, Andrade, Pakoulis.

Interchanges: Marshall, Gentles, Sharp, Wilton.