York Valkyrie have earned their place in the 2026 Women's Super League Grand Final, where they will take on defending champions Wigan Warriors. The Valkyrie achieved this milestone by defeating Leeds Rhinos 12-0 in a commanding semi‑final performance at Headingley, securing a ticket to the Brick Community Stadium for the championship match scheduled for Sunday, September 27, with a 5:30 p.m.
kickoff on Sky Sports. The turnaround for York has been nothing short of dramatic. Just weeks earlier, the side suffered heavy defeats – a 38-16 loss to Leeds on August 8 and a 44-0 drubbing at the hands of Wigan on August 15. Since those setbacks, the Valkyrie have rewritten their narrative, stringing together victories over Leeds at home, a win against St Helens away, and a triumph over Wigan on their own turf before clinching the semi‑final win.
The semi‑final itself was a tightly contested affair for the first 21 minutes, with neither side able to break the deadlock. The deadlock was finally shattered in the 22nd minute when York’s Liv Wood executed a deft twist and turn, grounding the ball for a try. Tara‑Jane Stanley added the conversion, giving York an early 6‑0 lead.
As the first half drew to a close, Leeds threatened to score when 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 kick illegal, and the try was disallowed.
Instead, Stanley capitalised on a penalty three minutes before the break, slotting a long‑range kick to extend York’s advantage to 8‑0. The second half began with York looking to consolidate their lead.
Eight minutes in, Stanley broke through the defensive line and appeared to score a second try, which would have put York comfortably ahead. The Video Referee intervened, reviewing the footage and determining that she had lost control of the ball before grounding it, and the try was overturned.
Undeterred, York’s defence held firm as Leeds surged forward, launching a series of attacks that tested the Valkyrie’s resolve. The first half‑hour saw Leeds’ Georgia Elliston cross the try‑line, only for the Video Referee to again intervene and rule the score out for obstruction.
York’s persistence paid off when Adaoha Akwiwu broke through from a short pass by Stanley, scoring the decisive try that pushed the scoreboard to 12‑0. Leeds managed one final brush with hope in the closing minutes when Ebony Stead appeared to dive over for a try on the wing. Yet for the third time that evening, the Video Referee reviewed the play and concluded that Stead had lost possession of the ball before grounding it, nullifying the score.
The match ended on a bittersweet note for York. While the team celebrated a clean sheet and a spot in the Grand Final, their standout performer Tara‑Jane Stanley failed a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) and was ruled out of the upcoming championship game. York’s head coach Leon Pryce spoke to Sky Sports after the victory, reflecting on the team’s improbable journey: "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." On the other side of the final, Wigan Warriors are already making headlines in the individual awards arena. Three of their players – Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams – have been shortlisted for the prestigious Woman of Steel award, which will be presented at the Rugby League Awards Night in Manchester on Tuesday, September 29. Nineteen‑year‑old half‑back Jenna Foubister has been a key architect of Wigan’s attacking play, scoring nine tries in 18 appearances across all competitions and delivering a standout 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 as the Warriors lifted the trophy for the second time.
Current Woman of Steel Eva Hunter continued her prolific form, crossing the line 23 times this season. The dynamic second‑rower combined blistering speed, powerful ball‑carrying and relentless defence, and made history by becoming the first woman to score four tries in a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley. Megan Williams, a relative newcomer to the club after joining from St Helens ahead of the 2025 season, has quickly established herself as a reliable forward. The England Knights international has added four tries since the competition entered its Super Four phase, playing a pivotal role in Wigan’s push for another historic campaign.
Fans can look forward to an exciting Grand Final showdown between Wigan Warriors and York Valkyrie on September 27. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with the kickoff slated for 5:30 p.m. at the Brick Community Stadium.