York Valkyrie U19s 6 Leeds Rhinos Women U19s 24

By Sam Brocksom

Leeds Rhinos Women’s Under 19s side recorded their second win of the season away at York Valkyrie in a close encounter. Ruby Enright’s hat-trick was the highlight, with tries also coming from Alice Costello and Faye Barraclough.

It was a tight opening 15 minutes, with mistakes aplenty in the pouring rain. Costello got the Rhinos’ first try of the match after pouncing on a dropped ball. Ruby Enright’s kick was knocked on by the York fullback, Izzy Smith and Costello was first to react, carrying multiple defenders over the line to get the four points. Enright couldn’t convert her first attempt of the evening, but momentum was starting to build for the young Rhinos.

Leeds started to find their way as the conditions eased. Enright’s kick 20 metres out was fumbled, and the referee awarded six more tackles. The full back made use of the repeat set by jinking through the Valkyrie defence to score. She couldn’t convert her own kick and the scores remained 8-0 going into half time.

The Rhinos started the second half in fine form, scoring a try from the first set. A lovely move down the left-hand side saw the ball go through four sets of hands. Faye Barraclough stepped inside and gave the ball back to Enright who dived over for her second of the game. This time she managed to convert her own try.

Enright crossed for her hat-trick try in the left corner after a strong and dancing run. The fullback had been immense all game but was injured in the tackle, forcing her to leave the field. A change in kicker followed, with Keira Gittins taking over, however she put her first attempt just wide. 18-0 the Rhinos led after an hour on the clock.

The hosts looked to be back in the game after a try from Liv Whitehead. The utility back broke the line 40 metres out and ran in untouched under the posts. Chloe Smith added the extras to give York a slim chance with 10 minutes to go. York’s hopes of getting back into the game were stopped in its tracks as a sensational 75 metre run from Barraclough put the game to bed. The winger defused a kick on her own 20 metre line and danced her way through to score under the posts. A brilliant try that would cap off a tough victory was converted by Gittins and sealed a 24-6 win for the young Rhinos away from home