York Valkyrie have earned a place in the 2026 Women's Super League Grand Final where they will meet the defending champions, Wigan Warriors, after delivering a commanding 12‑0 victory over Leeds Rhinos in the semi‑final at Headingley. The final is set for Sunday, 27 September, with kickoff at 5:30 p.m.
at the Brick Community Stadium, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The turnaround for York has been nothing short of dramatic.
Just a month earlier the Valkyrie suffered heavy defeats – a 38‑16 loss to Leeds on 8 August and a 44‑0 drubbing by Wigan on 15 August. Since those setbacks the side has reinvented itself, stringing together a series of impressive wins that include a home triumph over Leeds, a road victory at St Helens, and a hard‑fought win over Wigan at home before sealing their semi‑final success.
The match at Headingley began with a tight, scoreless first 21 minutes. The deadlock was finally broken in the 22nd minute when York’s Liv Wood displayed a blend of agility and strength, twisting past defenders to ground the ball for a try. Tara Jane Stanley, York’s reliable kicker, converted the effort, putting the visitors ahead 6‑0.
As the half‑hour mark approached, Leeds appeared poised to strike, with Ruby Walker attempting a grubber kick that fell short. Stanley seized the loose ball, sprinted clear and added another try, extending the lead to 12‑0. Three minutes later she slotted a long‑range penalty, cementing an 8‑0 advantage just before the break.
The second half opened with a burst of optimism for Leeds. Eight minutes in, Stanley surged forward and seemed to score a second try for York, but a video referee review showed she lost control of the ball in the act of grounding, and the try was disallowed.
Leeds responded with increased intensity, pressing hard against York’s defence, yet the Valkyrie held firm, preserving their two‑score cushion. Midway through the second half, Leeds’ Georgia Elliston powered over for a try, only for the video referee to overturn it for obstruction. York then sealed the match with a decisive try from Adaoha Akwiwu, who broke through after receiving a short pass from Stanley, bringing the final tally to 12‑0.
In the closing stages, Leeds’ Ebony Stead appeared to cross the line for a try that would have offered a glimmer of hope, but a third video referee intervention ruled the score out, confirming that Stead had lost control of the ball before grounding it. The victory was bittersweet for York.
Shortly after the final whistle, it was announced that Tara Jane Stanley, who had been the standout performer on the night, failed her Head Injury Assessment (HIA) and will miss the Grand Final. Despite this setback, head coach Leon Pryce expressed immense pride in his squad’s resilience. "This is unbelievable. Nobody gave us a chance," Pryce told Sky Sports.
"Everyone wrote us off, but we used those comments as fuel. To travel to Leeds and keep a strong side scoreless shows our grit, toughness and determination. Against all odds we’ve made it, and I couldn’t be prouder." While York prepares for the showdown, 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 2026 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 key architect of Wigan’s attacking play this season, tallying nine tries in 18 appearances across all competitions. Her influence was especially evident in the Women’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, where she earned Player of the Match honours by creating two tries and delivering three line‑break assists as the Warriors secured their second cup victory. Eva Hunter, the reigning Woman of Steel, has continued her prolific form under head coach Denis Betts, crossing the line for 23 tries in all competitions.
The dynamic second‑rower’s pace, power and defensive work rate have been instrumental for Wigan, and she made history by becoming the first woman to score four tries in a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley. Megan Williams, a relatively recent addition to the club after moving from St Helens ahead of the 2025 season, has quickly become one of the league’s most reliable forwards. The England Knights international has contributed four tries since the competition entered its Super Four phase, helping Wigan maintain a strong push for another historic campaign. The upcoming Grand Final promises a clash of contrasting narratives: York Valkyrie, the underdogs who have rewritten their season’s script through sheer determination, versus Wigan Warriors, the established powerhouse with a roster full of individual accolades.
Fans can tune in to Sky Sports on Sunday, 27 September, at 5:30 p.m. to witness what is expected to be a thrilling conclusion to the 2026 Women’s Super League season.