By Sam Brocksom

Leeds Rhinos Women were denied a place in the Betfred Women's Super League Grand Final after Kelsey Gentles and Savannah Andrade helped the York Valkyrie to a hard-fought victory as they saw off a late comeback.

The Rhinos have never beaten York at AMT Headingley, with the result making it four wins from four away for Lindsay Anfield’s side.

Ebony Stead and Lucy Murray crossed for the Rhinos but it was too little too late in the end, in a result that sees their 2024 season come to a close.
York had the first chance of the game, and the first decision for video referee Liam Rush came inside five minutes. Sade Rihari’s kick fooled the Leeds defence, with the bounce of the ball coming away from Amy Harcastle trying to clear. Lisa Parker was closest for York, but it would eventually be Keara Bennett who diffused the situation.

Multiple errors from the Rhinos gave York more good ball opportunites. The Valkyrie were comfortable in spreading the play, with Leeds’ defence being tested on multiple occasions. On ten minutes, Bella Sykes was forced to leave field through injury, to weaken an already light middle unit compared to the Valkyrie’s.

York eventually made their possession and territory count as the first forty reached the half way mark. Woman of Steel nominee Georgie Hetherington, filling in for Tara-Jane Stanley, who was injured in the previous meeting between the sides, broke the Leeds line in the centre of the field, before being brought down by Ebony Stead 15 metres out. York’s attacking line was quicker than the defence of the Rhinos, and Kelsey Gentles capitalised on an unset Rhinos try-line. The second rower crashed her way over to the left of the posts, taking a couple of defenders with her. Rhiannon Marshall, a former Rhino, slotted over the conversion giving York a 0-6 advantage.

Hetherington soon got over the line herself, after forcing her way through from dummy half. Referee Aaron Belafonte was unsure on the decision, giving another decision to video referee Rush. Replays showed the York fullback lose possession over the line, meaning Leeds received a 20-metre restart.

Leeds’ opening chance came shortly before the half hour mark. The Rhinos overloaded the short side and tried to use the advantage to go close through Stead, but strong defence once again from York forced an error from the young Leeds full back. The Rhinos had a similar chance a minute before the half-time whistle, but again Lindsay Anfield’s side kept them out. At the break, the score was 0-6 to the visitors.

Leeds’ hope for more possession and territory in the second half started off exactly how they didn’t want it to. A high kick from Rihari, combined with strong line speed from the outside backs, forced a knock on from Liv Whitehead. The winger dropped the ball 20 metres out and Andrade was quickest to react to the loose ball as she picked it up and scored under the posts. Marshall’s conversion increased the lead to 12 after three minutes of the second half.

York’s opportunist try was be backed up by strong defence. Sophie Robinson tried to go down the right edge but strong defence from Carrie Roberts would keep her out. The defensive effort from the Valkyrie was a huge part to their victory.

It was not be until 15 minutes from play when Leeds started to make somewhat of a comeback. Stead, who had been a shining light in a poor Leeds attack, opened the Rhinos account. The speedster fullback showed her skill to beat the defence and cross to the left of the posts. Bennett’s conversion gave Leeds even more hope that they could pull back an unlikely victory. With ten to go, the Rhinos trailed 6-12.

Six minutes from time, the Rhinos were in full control. With the crowd behind them, they stormed up the field set by set. Their hopes were helped further by a sin-bin for Tamzin Renouf. The York halfback took out Ruby Walker after she had passed the ball. After a video referee check, Belafonte sent her to the sin bin.
Three minutes from time, the Rhinos found their way over once again. Evie Cousins looked certain to score from Walker’s kick but she was taken down before she got the ball. Luckily for Leeds, Lucy Murray was there to ground the ball before it went dead to put them a conversion away to level up. Bennett’s sideline conversion did not have the distance though, as the Valkyrie celebrated the ball stopping short of the goalposts. A close and hard-fought match-up, York saw the game out and will now look to retain their BWSL title.