Women’s Super League: Can York Valkyrie take on Leeds Rhinos for glory in the final grand final?

York captain Sinead Peach and Leeds skipper Hanna Butcher are aiming to lift the Women’s Super League trophy on Sunday.

The story of the York Valkyrie rugby league revolution has, so far, been a case of so near and so far.

The 2021 Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final and last year’s Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final both missed out on winning one of the sport’s two major prizes. Earlier this year, York were denied a place in the inaugural Women’s Challenge Cup final at Wembley in a agonizing one-point defeat to St Helens as well.

However, the Valkyrie have another chance to put all those near misses to bed in Sunday’s Women’s Super League showpiece, live on Aerial sports. Once again, they already have the regular season League Leaders’ Shield in the bag and face Leeds Rhinos once again to be crowned champions.

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This year, however, Lindsay’s Anfield side have home advantage thanks to that top spot and will play in front of a capacity crowd at the LNER Community Stadium, with captain Sinead Peach under no illusions about the importance of this advantage. would be for the club to win a first BWSL title.

“It means everything,” Peach said York RLFC TV. “At the start of the season you lay out platforms for what you want to achieve and losing in the (Challenge Cup) semi-final we were gutted, but we have bounced back since.

“We have the opportunity to lift another cup after the League Leaders’ Championship and that’s all we want, and I’m sure the girls are ready to do everything they can to make sure to emerge victorious.”

For the second year in a row, York defeated Wigan Warriors to earn a place in the Grand Final, this time winning 22-6 thanks to another crucial performance from reigning Woman of Steel Tara-Jane Stanley, who scored one try and helped two others. after the visitors took the lead.

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Highlights from York Valkyrie’s win over Wigan Warriors in the Betfred Women’s Super League semi-final

Defending champions Leeds, meanwhile, needed a try from Sophie Robinson in golden point extra time to beat St Helens 20-16 at the Totally Wicked Stadium in their semi-final clash and help avenge their Wembley Cup final defeat to the Saints in August. .

Leeds have again reached the Grand Final despite England internationals Fran Goldthorp and Georgia Roche moving to Australia’s NRLW competition earlier this year and Caitlin Beevers being player of the match in last year’s 12-4 win over York in of the title final, praised the unit. of the team.

“I think we did really well,” Beevers said. Aerial sports. “We’ve had a lot of adversity; we’ve had players join the NRLW at the start of the season with a few injuries early on, and I think we’ve really gotten to the point where we can compete in games like this- this. .

“The last two years we have managed to qualify for the Grand Final and that shows how committed we are.

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Caitlin Beevers says Leeds are keen to qualify for the Women’s Super League grand final but are wary of an in-form York side and their dangerous attackers

“No matter what adversity we face at the start of the season, we come together and that shows what the Leeds environment is like.

“We’re ready and raring to go. Training the last two weeks has been absolutely phenomenal, so we can’t wait to get started.”

Last year’s final was played at the neutral ground of the Totally Wicked Stadium and Leeds know how much home advantage doesn’t always count after losing at their Headingley ground to St Helens in the 2021 decider .

Peach is adamant York aren’t taking anything for granted either, having been held to a 12-12 draw by the Rhinos at home in July after beating them 34-12 away in April, but the Woman of Steel nominee 2023 and her teammates are thrilled to have the opportunity to be crowned champions for the first time in front of a partisan crowd.

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Highlights from Leeds Rhinos’ dramatic Betfred Women’s Super League semi-final win over St Helens

“It’s huge that we have home-field advantage and we’re comfortable playing here, but in the same sense we’re not complacent,” Peach said.

“We know there’s work to be done, but mentally preparing to be on our field with our home fans is huge for us, and the girls are really excited to go out there and have a good show.

“We know the fans will be behind us with the drums, so we can’t wait to miss them.”

Wilkin: Rhinos have the ability to win close games

Sky Sports rugby league expert Jon Wilkin on this year’s Women’s Super League grand final:

“Just like the men’s team of their golden era, Leeds just have the ability to win close games and games they maybe shouldn’t win.

“I thought they did that against St Helens in the semi-final. It was an incredible performance and a golden point win, and rightly so, they cruise their way to the Grand Final.

“York, although they played very well, they have never won this competition before, and I know as a player that sticks in your mind.

“This could be poison to the mentality of the York team and could play into Leeds’ hands.”

Watch York Valkyrie and Leeds Rhinos clash in the Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final live Air Sports Arena And Aerial Sports Mix from 2:30 p.m. on Sunday (kick-off at 3 p.m.). Also stream the Women’s, Men’s and Wheelchair Super League Grand Finals and much more with NOW for £21 a month for six months..

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