York Valkyrie have earned a place in the 2026 Women's Super League Grand Final, where they will meet defending champions Wigan Warriors, after a commanding 12-0 semi‑final triumph on the road against Leeds Rhinos. The decisive match will be staged at the Brick Community Stadium on Sunday, September 27, with kickoff slated for 5:30 p.m.
and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The Valkyrie’s journey to the final has been nothing short of dramatic.
Just weeks earlier they 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 team has completely reversed its fortunes, stringing together victories over Leeds at home, a win at St Helens, and a home victory over Wigan before clinching the semi‑final.
The semi‑final at Headingley began with a tight, scoreless first 21 minutes. The deadlock was finally broken in the 22nd minute when Liv Wood twisted past defenders and grounded the ball for York’s opening try.
Tara Jane Stanley added the conversion, giving the Valkyrie an 6‑0 lead. As the first half drew to a close, Leeds appeared to be on the verge of a try when a poorly executed grubber‑kick by Ruby Walker fell short. Stanley pounced, collected the loose ball and sprinted clear, extending York’s advantage. Three minutes before the break she also slotted a long‑range penalty, pushing the score to 8‑0.
The second half opened with Stanley racing forward again and appearing to score a second try for York eight minutes in. However, the Video Referee reviewed the footage and ruled the effort invalid after determining she lost control of the ball in the act of scoring. Leeds responded with a surge of attacking play, but York’s defence held firm, preserving the two‑score cushion.
At the hour mark, Georgia Elliston of Leeds powered over for what looked like a try, but the Video Referee intervened once more, citing obstruction and nullifying the score. York then sealed the win when Adaoha Akwiwu burst through the defensive line on a short pass from Stanley, making the final try and confirming a 12‑0 shutout. Leeds managed a brief flash of hope in the closing minutes when Ebony Stead seemed to dive over for a try on the wing, but for a third time that night the Video Referee disallowed the score after determining she lost control of the ball while grounding it. The match concluded on a bittersweet note for York as Stanley, the night’s standout performer, failed her Head Injury Assessment and will miss the Grand Final.
Head coach Leon Pryce spoke to Sky Sports after the game, expressing disbelief at the turnaround: "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." In addition to the team storyline, the upcoming Grand Final will feature several players in contention for the 2026 Woman of Steel award.
Wigan Warriors dominate the shortlist with three nominees: half‑back Jenna Foubister, second‑rower Eva Hunter, and loose forward Megan Williams. Foubister, 19, recorded nine tries in 18 appearances and earned a Player of the Match award in the Women’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, where she created two tries and set up three line‑break assists. Hunter, the reigning Woman of Steel, crossed for 23 tries across all competitions and made history by becoming the first woman to score four tries in a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley. Williams, a recent recruit from St Helens, has quickly become a reliable forward for Wigan, adding four tries during the Super Four phase and playing a key role in the club’s push for another historic season.
Fans can watch the Grand Final live on Sky Sports on September 27, with the match promising a clash of grit, skill, and determination as York Valkyrie aim to cap off their remarkable resurgence against the seasoned Wigan Warriors.