Despite showing plenty of spirit and fight, a 13-player Leeds Rhinos Under-19s Women’s side lost out to York Valkyrie Under-19s 26-4 at Sports Park, Weetwood.

Due to the Rhinos fielding a reduced squad, the match was played over three 20-minute periods, and it was the home side that almost struck first; Faye Barraclough twisted her way to the try line but lost the ball in the process.

The Valkyrie responded to get the opening try through Isobel Smith on 15 minutes. Half back Coby-Lou Marsh connected up with Olivia Whitehead to shift the ball to the left, and the full back eluded the Leeds defence to pop a ball over the top for Smith to walk in untouched.

After a break to start the second third, York quickly added more tries as Jess Sharp broke free of the Leeds defence to get across.  Emma Kershaw added the third of the game shortly after, as the centre caught a loose pass and ran a good line to score under the posts to make the score 14-0.

In need of points before the second break of the game, the Rhinos finally broke York’s defensive resolve through. Caught in the corner of the field, Matty Bullough’s side switched play across the face of the Valkyrie defence to Barraclough, who wasn’t going to be denied this time. Keira Gittins couldn’t convert as the second period came to a close with the score at 14-4 to the visitors.

As the game progressed into the final period, York’s extra numbers saw the Valkyrie home. T'Leesha Frederick-Maynard got over the white line with a short drive before Sharp’s second of the game rounded off the 26-4 win for the away side.

Watch the highlights below: