Valkyrie fights back to stun the Saints and retain the title

Betfred Women's Super League Grand Final

St Helens (8) 8

Try: Burke Goals: Gaskin 2

York Valkyrie (6) 18

Try: Owen, Partington, gentlemen Goals: Brennan, Marshall 2

York Valkyrie made history by becoming the first team to retain the Women's Super League crown by denying St Helens the treble on their own turf.

The Saints, who already had this season's Challenge Cup and League Leaders Shield in their trophy cabinet, were favorites for further titles after racing to an 8-6 half-time lead at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Lacey Owen gave Valkyrie the lead, but the Saints responded and led through Leah Burke, the league's leading try-scorer, and two penalties from Faye Gaskin.

However, Valkyrie – the only team to beat the Saints in the regular league season – shined with their strong play, forcing a number of errors from their opponents in damp conditions.

Tries from former Saints wingers Eboni Partington and Kelsey Gentles ensured Valkyrie fought back to claim their second successive title after beating Leeds Rhinos in the 2023 final.

Valkyrie made up most of the early run, with Izzy Brennan's cleverly placed kicks continually putting the Saints defense under pressure but they were unable to take advantage and fell behind after 10 minutes.

The defending champions lost possession just inside their own half and were punished by Paige picking out Travis Burke, who moved down the left wing to maintain his record as a goalscorer in every meeting with Valkyrie this season.

Owen hit back, diving to cross from close range after Saints fumbled another kick from Brennan and the conversion gave Valkyrie the lead, only for Rhiannon Marshall to miss another good opportunity near the line shortly afterwards.

As half-time approached, St Helens found more rhythm and turned the deficit around to take an 8-6 lead at half-time, with Gaskin – in her last game before retirement – scoring two shots in quick succession following a penalty shoot-out against Gentles lap.

But shortly after the turn the lead changed again when Marshall's kick confused two Saints players and Owen grabbed the loose ball and fed to Partington, who did an excellent job of staying inside the line and pushing into the corner.

Georgie Hetherington's incisive run, penetrating deep into Saints territory, opened up the chance for Gentles to finish under the posts – and despite an on-field decision ruling out the attempt, it was overturned by video referee Ben Thaler.

With their treble hopes quickly fading, the Saints surged forward but were repelled by a stubborn Valkyrie defense, with Carrie Roberts making a try-saving tackle to deny Burke and Hetherington, who held Chantelle Crowl over the line.

Crowl then conceded a penalty for a high tackle, but although Brennan missed the chance to give her side extra breathing room with a misstep, Valkyrie was not denied.

St Helens: Salihi, Hook, E. Stott, Woosey, Burke, Harris, Gaskin, Whitfield, Jones, Crowl, Rudge, Travis, Cunningham.

Exchange: N Williams, D Stott, Mottershead, M Williams.

York: Hetherington, Roberts, Komaitai, Parker, Partington, Rihari, Renouf, Wood, Brennan, Bell, Owen, Andrade, Pakoulis.

Exchange: Marshall, Gentlemen, Sharp, Wilton.