York Valkyrie have earned a place in the 2026 Women's Super League Grand Final, where they will take on the defending champions, Wigan Warriors, after delivering a commanding 12‑0 victory against Leeds Rhinos in the semi‑final at Headingley. The final is set for Sunday, September 27, with kickoff at 5:30 p.m.
on the Brick Community Stadium and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The journey to this moment has been nothing short of remarkable for the York side. Just weeks earlier the team suffered heavy defeats – a 38‑16 loss to Leeds on August 8 and a 44‑0 drubbing by Wigan on August 15.
Those setbacks could have demoralised any squad, but York used them as motivation. In the intervening weeks they turned the tide, beating Leeds at home, securing an away win over St Helens and then overcoming Wigan on their own turf before sealing the semi‑final triumph. The semi‑final itself began as a tight, defensive affair. The first 21 minutes at Headingley saw neither side break the deadlock, with both defenses holding firm.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 22nd minute when York’s Liv Wood displayed a dazzling combination of footwork and strength, twisting past a defender and grounding the ball for a try. Tara Jane Stanley added the conversion, putting York ahead 6‑0.
Leeds responded quickly and, with only minutes left in the first half, seemed poised to equalise when Ruby Walker attempted a grubber kick that fell short. Stanley seized the opportunity, gathering the loose ball and sprinting clear for a second try, which she also converted. The half concluded with York leading 8‑0 after Stanley slotted a long‑range penalty three minutes before the break. The second half started in dramatic fashion.
Eight minutes after the restart, Stanley broke through the Leeds defensive line and appeared to score her second try of the match, which would have stretched York’s lead to double digits. However, the Video Referee reviewed the footage and determined that Stanley had lost control of the ball while grounding it, overturning the try. Undeterred, York’s defence held firm as Leeds launched a series of aggressive attacks, trying to claw back into the game.
The first major test came at the hour mark when Leeds’ Georgia Elliston powered over the line, only for the Video Referee to rule the try out for obstruction. The pattern repeated later in the match when Leeds’ Ebony Stead seemed to cross the try line, but video evidence showed she had lost possession before grounding the ball, resulting in a third disallowed try for the Rhinos. York finally put the game beyond doubt in the 70th minute when Adaoha Akwiwu received a short pass from Stanley and burst through a tired Leeds defence to score the decisive try, bringing the score to 12‑0. The final whistle confirmed a clean sheet for York, a remarkable turnaround from the heavy defeats they had endured only weeks earlier.
The victory was bittersweet, however, as post‑match medical checks revealed that Tara Jane Stanley, who had been instrumental throughout the semi‑final, failed her Head Injury Assessment (HIA). The result means she will miss the Grand Final, a significant loss for a player who had been described as York’s standout performer on the night. York head coach Leon Pryce spoke to Sky Sports after the match, his emotions evident.
"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 prepares for the final, the spotlight also shines on the upcoming Woman of Steel awards.
Wigan Warriors are poised to dominate the shortlist, with three of their players – Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams – named among the final three candidates for the prestigious individual accolade. The awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday, September 29, in Manchester, as part of the Rugby League Awards Night. Jenna Foubister, the 19‑year‑old half‑back, has been a pivotal figure in Wigan’s attacking machinery throughout the 2026 season.
She recorded nine tries in 18 appearances across all competitions and delivered a standout 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 a second time. Eva Hunter, the reigning Woman of Steel, continued her prolific form under coach Denis Betts, crossing the line 23 times in all competitions. The dynamic second‑rower’s speed, powerful ball‑carrying and relentless defensive work have been key to Wigan’s success. Hunter also made history by becoming the first woman to score four tries in a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley.
Megan Williams, a relatively new addition to the Cherry & White, has quickly established herself as one of the most reliable forwards in the league. Since joining from St Helens ahead of the 2025 campaign, the England Knights international has become a cornerstone of Betts’ side.
In the current season she has added four tries since the competition entered the Super Four phase, helping Wigan maintain momentum in their push for another historic campaign. The Grand Final promises to be a clash of contrasting narratives: York, the underdogs who have defied expectations and shut out a strong Leeds side, versus Wigan, the seasoned champions with multiple players in contention for the Woman of Steel award. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, offering fans a chance to witness what could be one of the most exciting finals in recent memory. For those unable to watch on television, highlights and post‑match analysis will be available across the league’s digital platforms, and the official Women’s Super League website will provide live updates and player interviews.
As the date approaches, both teams will be fine‑tuning their strategies, managing injuries and preparing mentally for a showdown that will decide the champion of the 2026 season. York’s journey from heavy defeats to a Grand Final berth underscores the unpredictable nature of sport and the power of resilience. Their story will serve as inspiration for clubs across the league, demonstrating that with determination, belief and a little bit of grit, even the most daunting odds can be overcome.
The stage is set, the fans are ready, and the Brick Community Stadium will soon host a final that could go down in the annals of women’s rugby league as a classic encounter.