York Valkyrie have earned their place in the 2026 Women's Super League Grand Final, where they will meet defending champions Wigan Warriors. The Valkyrie achieved this milestone by posting a convincing 12-0 victory over Leeds Rhinos in the semi‑final held at Headingley, securing a ticket to the championship showdown at the Brick Community Stadium on Sunday, September 27, with kickoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
on Sky Sports. The turnaround for York has been dramatic. Just weeks earlier the side suffered heavy defeats – a 38‑16 loss to Leeds on August 8 and a 44‑0 drubbing by Wigan on August 15.
Since those setbacks the Valkyrie have rewritten their narrative, stringing together wins against Leeds at home, an away triumph over St Helens, and a hard‑fought victory over Wigan in the regular season before clinching the semi‑final win that now propels them to the final. The semi‑final itself was a tightly contested affair for the first 21 minutes, with neither side managing to break the deadlock. The deadlock was finally shattered in the 22nd minute when York’s Liv Wood displayed her agility, twisting and turning before grounding the ball for the opening try.
Tara Jane Stanley, York’s reliable kicker, converted the try cleanly, putting the visitors ahead 6‑0. Leeds responded with a late attacking move as Ruby Walker attempted a grubber‑kick that fell short, allowing Stanley to collect the loose ball and sprint clear for a second try. However, the referee ruled the attempt a knock‑on, and the score remained unchanged.
Instead, Stanley capitalized on a penalty opportunity three minutes before the half‑time whistle, slotting a long‑range kick that extended York’s lead to 8‑0. The second half began with York looking to consolidate their advantage.
Eight minutes after the restart, Stanley broke through the Leeds defensive line and appeared to score a second try, which would have put York up 12‑0. The Video Referee, however, reviewed the footage and determined that Stanley lost control of the ball as she crossed the try‑line, overturning the decision and keeping the score at 8‑0.
Leeds, now with a clear target, intensified their attacks, but York’s defence held firm, denying any further points. At the 60‑minute mark, Georgia Elliston of Leeds powered over the line, only for the Video Referee to intervene again, this time citing obstruction and disallowing the try.
York finally broke the deadlock for good when Adaoha Akwiwu received a short pass from Stanley and burst through the Rhinos’ defensive line, scoring the decisive try that brought the final tally to 12‑0. The Valkyrie’s defense remained unbreached for the remainder of the match, even as Leeds’ Ebony Stead seemed poised to score a late try.
Once more, the Video Referee intervened, ruling that Stead had lost control of the ball before grounding it, and the try was disallowed. The victory was bittersweet for York, as post‑match medical checks revealed that Tara Jane Stanley had failed a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) and would miss the Grand Final.
Stanley had been the standout performer throughout the semi‑final, contributing points with both tries and kicks, and her absence will be felt in the championship match. York’s head coach, Leon Pryce, expressed his amazement in a post‑match interview with Sky Sports: "This is unbelievable.
Nobody gave us a chance. Everyone had written us off, and last week they were saying it was going to be another Saints vs Leeds game after Saints won here. We read the comments and used that as fuel. I don't think we got the respect we deserved, but they've been unbelievable.
To come to Leeds in a semi‑final against a really good squad and keep them to zero just shows. It was going to be about grit, toughness and determination. Against all odds we've got there and I couldn't be more proud. I've been proud of them all season, but the last four or five weeks we've really turned a corner and we don't want the season to end." Beyond the match itself, the upcoming Grand Final will also feature a spotlight on the 2026 Woman of Steel awards.
Wigan Warriors dominate the shortlist, with three of their players – Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams – named among the three finalists for the league’s most prestigious individual accolade. The awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday, September 29, in Manchester, coinciding with the conclusion of the season. Jenna Foubister, the 19‑year‑old half‑back, has been a linchpin in Wigan’s attack, scoring nine tries in 18 appearances across all competitions and delivering a Player‑of‑the‑Match performance in the Women’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, where she created two tries and provided three line‑break assists.
Eva Hunter, the reigning Woman of Steel, has continued her prolific form, crossing the line 23 times in all competitions and becoming the first woman to score four tries in a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley. Megan Williams, a forward who joined Wigan from St Helens ahead of the 2025 season, has cemented her reputation as a consistent and powerful presence, adding four tries during the Super Four phase and playing a pivotal role in Wigan’s push for another historic season. Fans can watch the Grand Final live on Sky Sports on September 27, with the match slated to begin at 5:30 p.m.
at the Brick Community Stadium. The showdown promises to be a clash of two contrasting narratives: York’s underdog journey, marked by resilience and a dramatic semi‑final comeback, against Wigan’s established dominance and a roster brimming with individual award contenders. Both teams will be looking to write the final chapter of the 2026 season in bold, with York hoping to cap their remarkable turnaround with a championship trophy and Wigan aiming to reinforce their status as the premier force in women’s rugby league.