York Valkyrie have booked their place in the 2026 Women's Super League Grand Final, where they will meet defending champions Wigan Warriors, after delivering a commanding 12-0 victory in the semi‑final at Headingley against the Leeds Rhinos. The final will be staged at the Brick Community Stadium on Sunday, 27 September, with a 5:30 p.m.
kickoff and will be broadcast live 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 8 August and a 44‑0 drubbing at the hands of Wigan on 15 August.
Since those setbacks the Valkyrie have rewritten their narrative, beating Leeds at home, overcoming St Helens away, and then dispatching Wigan on their own turf before sealing the semi‑final triumph. The match at Headingley began cautiously, with the first 21 minutes ending without any points as both teams tested each other's defensive structures. The deadlock was finally broken 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 half‑hour mark approached, Leeds pressed hard and seemed poised to score when a grubber kick from Ruby Walker went awry. Stanley pounced on the loose ball, sprinted clear of the defence and secured a second try for York.
Just three minutes before the break she also slotted a long‑range penalty, extending the lead to 8‑0. The second half opened with York still in control, but a potential second try by Stanley was disallowed after the Video Referee determined she lost control of the ball while grounding it.
The decision sparked a flurry of attacks from Leeds, yet York’s defence held firm, preserving the two‑score advantage. At the 60‑minute point, Leeds thought they had finally broken through when Georgia Elliston crossed under the posts, but the Video Referee again intervened, this time citing obstruction and nullifying the try.
York responded swiftly; a short pass from Stanley found Adaoha Akwiwu, who burst through the defensive line to score the final try of the match, bringing the scoreboard to 12‑0. Leeds made one last push in the closing minutes.
Ebony Stead appeared to have scored a try out wide, offering the Rhinos a glimmer of hope, but for the third time that evening the Video Referee ruled the effort invalid, citing a loss of control during the grounding. The final whistle confirmed York’s clean sheet and a comprehensive victory. Unfortunately for York, the triumph was tinged with disappointment as Tara‑Jane Stanley, who had been instrumental throughout the semi‑final, failed her Head Injury Assessment (HIA) and will miss the Grand Final. The loss of their standout performer adds an extra challenge for the Valkyrie as they prepare for the championship decider.
Head coach Leon Pryce spoke to Sky Sports after the match, 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." While York celebrates its unexpected resurgence, Wigan Warriors are already in the spotlight for individual accolades.
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 29 September. Nineteen‑year‑old half‑back Jenna Foubister has been a catalyst for Wigan’s attacking flair, tallying nine tries in 18 appearances across all competitions this season.
Her performance in the Women's Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, where she created two tries and delivered three line‑break assists, earned her a Player of the Match award as the Warriors lifted the trophy for the second time. Defending champion Eva Hunter continues to dominate as a second‑row powerhouse, crossing the line 23 times in all competitions.
Her speed, ball‑carrying strength and defensive work rate have been pivotal, and she 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 become a reliable loose‑forward.
In the current Super Four phase she has added four tries, helping Wigan maintain momentum in their quest for another historic campaign. The stage is set for a thrilling Grand Final showdown between York Valkyrie and Wigan Warriors.
Fans can tune in to Sky Sports on Sunday, 27 September, at 5:30 p.m. to watch what promises to be a captivating climax to the 2026 Women's Super League season.