Warriors fall short against Valkyrie

- Match Report as Wigan Warriors Women fell to narrow defeat against York Valkyrie.
- The Warriors crossed either side of half time through Molly Jones and Grace Banks.
- FT | Wigan Warriors 12-16 York Valkyrie.
Match Report as Wigan Warriors Women Fell to narrow defeat against York Valkyrie in the penultimate game of the regular season.
The Warriors got off to the perfect start as their opening set saw Eva Hunter burst through a gap in the defensive line before finding Molly Jones on her inside to finish off the move close to the uprights. Isabel Rowe added the conversion for an early 6-0 advantage for Wigan.
The Warriors were asking plenty of questions early on but the Valkyrie responded in the 9th minute as Lisa Parker found her way over from close range. Izzy Brennan was unable to add the extras as Wigan held the slight lead at 6-4.
The visitors took the lead 5 minutes later as an error gave York repeat sets before an overlap allowed Izzy Brennan to crash over on the right edge, this time the hooker converted her own score to see Valkyrie lead 10-6.
Wigan searched for the response and went close as Mary Coleman caused some repeated trouble in the defensive line, with the Warriors looking to hit back a pass out to the left edge had too much on it and York regained possession.
Shortly afterwards, York improved their score from the tee as a penalty 20m away allowed Izzy Brennan to slot over the two pointer and make it 12-6 in the visitors’ favour.
With Wigan being tested at the back, the visitors thought they’d grabbed a second on the half hour as a testing kick was grounded but the referee chalked off the effort after a conversation with the linesman for an offside in the build-up. Within minutes, Wigan then found themselves down to 12 as Eva Hunter was sent to the sin bin following a collision in the air. Wigan defended well with their player disadvantage, however, as the teams went in at the break at 12-6 to York.
The Warriors almost had the perfect start to the second half as the kick-off was spilled and the resulting set saw them go close. Rowe chased down her own grubber but York managed to see the ball out to regain possession.
Denis Betts’ side continued to look for a response but testing weather conditions saw errors shared between the two sides.
York improved their lead in the 48th minute as another penalty goal was slotted following an interference at the play the ball from the Warriors, the visiting side making it 14-6 from the boot of Brennan.
Strong defensive efforts continued as Megan Pakulis spilled the ball on the whitewash under good pressure shortly afterwards. A repeat set for Valkyrie saw Wigan back-up well, again stopping Pakulis short before a last ditch tackle in front of the uprights was high and Valkyrie took the two-point option once again. Brennan was on target in front of the sticks to make it 16-6 going into the final quarter.
A frantic end saw further handling errors in the wet weather. Derbyshire had a good opportunity as a chip over from the scrum saw the winger give chase but an unkind bounce of the ball saw the play come up short.
A huge kick from Isabel Rowe in the dying minutes saw York knock-on deep in their own half to allow Wigan a scrum and a late try followed as full-back Grace Banks received the ball on the left edge and backing herself, rounded the defence to score close to the sticks. Isabel Rowe converted but there wasn’t enough time for a further score as the referee called time with Valkyrie taking the 16-12 win.
Gallery:








Wigan Warriors: Grace Banks, Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Molly Jones, Ellise Derbyshire, Isabel Rowe, Jenna Foubister, Holly Speakman, Carys Marsh, Mary Coleman, Eva Hunter, Victoria Molyneux, Rachel Thompson.
Interchange: Jade Gregory-Haselden, Kaitlin Hilton, Cerys Jones, Ruby Hunter.
18th Player: Abbie Singleton.
Tries: M.Jones (1′), Banks (75′)
Goals: Rowe 2/2
Sin Bin: E.Hunter (33′)
York Valkyrie: Georgie Hetherington, Eboni Partington, Lisa Parker, Eva Izumi, Emma Kershaw, Sade Rihari, Tamzin Renouf, Olivia Wood, Izzy Brennan, Jas Bell, Lacey Owen, Savannah Andrade, Megan Pakulis.
Interchange: Rhiannion Marshall, Kelsey Gentles, Jess Sharp, Remi Wilton.
18th Player: Alex Stimpson.
Tries: Parker (9′), Brennan (14′)
Goals: Brennan 4/5