York Valkyrie should be honoured by city after retaining BWSL title

Sunday’s 18-8 victory at St Helens saw York lift the trophy in front of a record 4,830 crowd as they continued their growing legacy of putting the city at the heart of the women’s game.

There was no champagne on ice, and not one of their players had even thought of booking the following day off to celebrate.

But they produced one of the shocks of the season to retain their crown.

St Helens had crowned themselves BWSL Champions before any action had even got underway - but the Valkyrie had other ideas. (Image: Newsquest) Lindsay Anfield’s side received both a civic reception and paraded their trophies aboard an open-top boat on the Ouse after securing a League Leaders’ Shield and Grand Final double last year, but this time around it means so much more.

Captain, and reigning Woman of Steel, Sinead Peach announced her pregnancy on the eve of the new season, whilst key figures in Tara Jane Stanley, Tamzin Renouf, Rhiannion Marshall and Liv Gale have spent large portions of it on the sidelines.

York have turned to Hull, Sheffield, and even as far away as Canada and Australia for help – and even reportedly tried to bring back Hollie-Mae Dodd from the NRLW in time for the trophy-crowning match.

But despite fielding a team flooded with square pegs in round holes, they have achieved what many thought to be impossible.

In fact, they are the only side to have beaten Saints this year.

Recommended reading:

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• MATCH RECAP: St Helens 8-18 York Valkyrie

Remi Wilton and Megan Pakulis have been handy mid-season additions, whilst 17-year-old academy product Izzy Brennan and young utility Lisa Parker have stepped up to a baptism of fire in the sport’s top flight.

And that is without mentioning winger-turned-prop Kelsey Gentles, who questioned if she could even still add value after an 18-month absence following the birth of her daughter. It was almost written in the stars that she would score what proved to be the winning Grand Final try.

But what is unfathomable is that in spite of her achievement, Anfield will not be crowned the Women’s Super League Coach of the Year.

She is not included on the RFL’s shortlist, which instead names Saints boss Matty Smith, Wigan Warriors’ Denis Betts and Barrow Raiders chief Amanda Wilkinson as the nominees.

The Valkyrie received a civic reception before parading their League Leaders' Shield and Grand Final trophies along the Ouse last year. (Image: Alexander Chadwick) Saints were the overwhelming favourites, having already won both the League Leaders’ Shield and Women’s Challenge Cup, and seemed almost nailed on to seal the treble in their own backyard.

But they crumbled under the pressure, letting slip an 8-6 half-time lead, overconfidence perhaps playing its part as the scoreline, and the coveted treble, got away from them in the second half.

Woman of Steel nominee Georgie Hetherington deservedly picked up a second consecutive Grand Final Player of the Match, whilst Brennan emerged as an unlikely hero, producing a kicking game St Helens could not live with.

Not bad for a player who only made her Valkyrie debut in May.

Phoebe Hook, Erin Stott and Beri Salihi were among those to falter, with both Lacey Owen and Eboni Partington profiting from spilled bombs to score.

Saints, though, did have their moments in what was the final match of an illustrious career for both Faye Gaskin, who will start her IVF journey, and Tara Jones, who is now the RFL’s first female full-time match official. 

But with such significant strides being made, York must surely be honoured for their outstanding efforts by the city.

There were jubilant scenes at full time as the Valkyrie became the first team to retain the BWSL title. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography)