York Valkyrie win at Leeds to book Women's Super League Grand Final vs Wigan

Leeds vs York Valkyrie Women's Super League 5:15pm Friday 18th September

York Valkyrie are through to the 2026 Women's Super League Grand Final against Wigan Warriors following a superb 12-0 semi-final away victory over Leeds Rhinos.

York will now face defending champions Wigan in the Grand Final at the Brick Community Stadium on Sunday September 27 (5.30pm kick-off), live on Sky Sports.

York, who were beaten 38-16 by Leeds on August 8, and 44-0 by Wigan a week later on August 15, have totally turned fortunes around since, defeating Leeds at home, St Helens away and Wigan at home before sealing semi-final success.

⚔ 𝙁𝙐𝙇𝙇 𝙏𝙄𝙈𝙀! YORK VALKYRIE ARE IN THE BWSL GRAND FINAL! #OurEra | #ThisIsYork ⚔ pic.twitter.com/VVeIfOvMzs

The opening 21 minutes proved scoreless at Headingley in a tight contest, before York's Liv Wood twisted, turned and wrestled over to ground the ball for a try in the 22nd minute. Tara Jane Stanley converted for the full haul.

As the first half drew to a close and with Leeds camped on the York try-line on the verge of a try, a grubber-kick on the last by Leeds' Ruby Walker proved a poor one and allowed Stanley to gather and run clear.

Instead, York were next to add points as Stanley struck a penalty superbly from distance for a lead of 8-0 three minutes from the end of the half.

Eight minutes into the second half, Stanley accelerated forward and forced her way over for York's second try and clear daylight on the scoreboard - but the Video Ref then proved via replays she lost control in the act of scoring to rule it out.

Buoyed by their reprieve, Leeds came back attacking hard at York, but Valkyrie defended superbly to keep their two-score lead intact.

On the hour mark, Leeds' Georgia Elliston powered her way over under the sticks for a try, but again the score was ruled out by the Video Ref, who ruled obstruction.

York then wrapped up victory through Adaoha Akwiwu's try as she burst through off a Stanley short-ball pass for a 12-0 advantage.

64’ | TRY VALKYRIE Adaoha Akwiwu is in! Taking a good ball from Stanley, she runs a great line to go in! Stanley misses the conversion 🦏 0-12 ⚔ #OurEra | #ThisIsYork ⚔ pic.twitter.com/SCAR0PxwHC

With six minutes remaining, Leeds' Ebony Stead appeared to charge over for a try out wide to give Rhinos brief hope, but for a third time on the night the Video Ref ruled out a score, as replays proved Stead had lost control of the ball while going over.