25 May 2025

York Valkyrie 24 Leeds Rhinos Women 16

By Sam Brocksom

On an afternoon that gave us weather conditions from all four seasons, York Valkyrie emerged victorious as former Rhinos players came back to haunt them.

The home side started the game the better of the two, with the Rhinos making unforced errors giving their opponents easy field position. A misjudgement from fullback Ebony Stead saw her pick up the ball with a foot in touch, allowing York a full set 20 metres out.

Valkyrie capitalised on the error, as from the resultant scrum they spread the ball to the left edge, allowing former Rhino Tara Moxon to cross. Ellie Williamson was unsuccessful with the conversion.

York doubled their advantage five minutes later, as the ball found Eboni Partington, who had to use all her strength to avoid the sliding Leeds defender to cross. Williamson again couldn’t add the extras, so after fifteen minutes, Valkyrie led 8-0.

The scoring would remain the same for the remainder of the first half, with both sides not making the most of any chances. Both sides came as close as to being held up, and good defence from both sides counterracted the lack of attacking threat. At the break, the home side had an eight-point lead.

The second half was a lot more entertaining. Leeds fired out of the blocks from the break and within fifteen minutes were in front for the first time.

First, England international prop Izzy Northrop received an inside ball from Mel Howard, and powered her way over from close range before Jenna Greening recieved a lovely offload from Lucy Murray to score on the left edge. Howard converted the first of the two tries giving Leeds a 8-10 advantage.

Another former Leeds star would then inflict damage to the Rhinos. Zoe Hornby crahsed over from close range to take the lead back for the home side. Williamson added the extras to give York a 4-point cushion.

The Rhinos hit back minutes later though to go back ahead, as 17-year-old Frankie Blakey, scored her first career try after debuting against Saints last week. The youngster scampered from dummy half under the posts before Howard converted to make it 14-16 with 20 minutes left.

With the game hanging in the balance, a Leeds error five metres from their own line gave York a prime scoring opportunity. After strong carries up the middle, York shifted the ball left and a cut-out ball from Sade Rihari found Emma Kershaw to score in the left corner. No conversion meant it was a two-point ball game in York’s favour with 10 to go.

Seven minutes from time, the Rhinos looked to score and take the lead back, but strong defence from York kept them out. With a strong home crowd behind them, Anfield’s side managed to grab a late try through Moxon once more, as the centre found space on an inside line, charging over the Leeds defence to score for the home side. Williamson’s conversion sealed the victory, making it an eight point lead with four minutes on the clock and giving Leeds too much to do to make a comeback.

GAMESTAR: Zoe Hornby was brilliant in both defence and attack, and sealed her performance with a try to help overcome her former club

GAMEBREAKER: With five minutes on the clock, and two points between the sides, Tara Moxon’s late try and the conversion by Ellie Williamson sealed the Valkyrie’s first win of the season.

MATCHFACTS

VALKYRIE

1 Georgie Dagger

2 Eboni Partington

26 Kira Fitzpatrick

21 Tara Moxon

5 Emma Kershaw

6 Sade Rihari

7 Ellie Williamson

8 Liv Wood

9 Sinead Peach

25 Zoe Hornby