York Valkyrie became the first side to retain the Women’s Super League title with an 18-8 victory over treble-chasing St Helens in the Grand Final.
Saints had home advantage at the Totally Wicked Stadium after claiming the League Leaders’ Shield, but tries from Lacey Owen, Eboni Partington and Kelsey Gentles gave the visitors a deserved win.
Looking to complete a domestic treble – having also won the Women’s Challenge Cup at Wembley – Saints took an early lead as winger Leah Burke sprinted away from the York defence to score in the corner.
Owen’s try under the posts and a simple conversion from Izzy Brennan edged York in front before two penalties from Faye Gaskin gave Saints an 8-6 lead at half-time.
That advantage lasted just a few minutes of the second half however, Partington taking Owen’s pass and squeezing over in the corner after Saints had spilled a high kick, with video referee Ben Thaler called on to confirm the score.
Rhiannon Marshall kicked a superb conversion from the touchline and was then given a far easier task to add the extras when Gentles crashed over at the base of a post, another lengthy video check eventually determining that Gentles still had possession when she grounded the ball on the line.
When the final whistle went, the celebrations began.
York Valkyrie player Kelsey Gentles told Sky Sports: “It’s so good. I can’t believe I got it down (for her try).
“What a game, we knew that St Helens would bring it. We’ve had loads of adversity this season. We were written off but we were happy to be underdogs for this one.”
Head coach Lindsay Anfield told Sky Sports: “This is huge. The big three in the women’s game, St Helens, Leeds, Wigan, they’ve got everything they need to push on.
“We’re a small club, we’re trying to put it on the map. Hopefully this can help attract girls and women in the area to play this game.”