YORK Valkyrie boss Lindsay Anfield could not have asked for any more from her side in their Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup semi-final against St Helens.

The Valkyrie were without influential full-back Tara Jane Stanley for their trip to Doncaster, and with several other members of their squad still reeling from a bout of norovirus through the week, the formidable three-time holders proved a step too far.

A Faye Gaskin penalty and unconverted Leah Burke try left things all to play for at the break, but Saints pulled away comfortably in the second half, with a Phoebe Hook double, alongside further tries from Emily Rudge and interchanges Darcy Stott and Georgia Sutherland, sealing their progression with a 32-2 victory.

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York’s only points came from a Rhiannion Marshall penalty shortly after half-time, but they could be commended for never giving up, despite the bout of illness that has ravaged their team.

“Obviously we’re massively disappointed, but I couldn’t be prouder of that group,” Anfield enthused following the final whistle in South Yorkshire.

“They’ve gone out and given it everything.

“Some of them haven’t eaten for four or five days, so to put a shirt on and go out there on that stage in front of the BBC and give it everything, I’m so proud of them.”

Anfield’s side did however have their moments, particularly during the first half, and were perhaps unlucky not to have found the whitewash.

Saints were fortunate not to have given away a penalty for a high tackle on the advancing Emma Kershaw as she looked to force her way across on the right wing, whilst Eboni Partington was bundled into touch on the opposite edge as she looked to score against her former side.

However, Saints were clinical in their opportunities against a tiring Valkyrie after the break.

“We had possession and territory for about 20, 25, 30 minutes and we just couldn’t get across the line,” the director of rugby explained.

“Then there’s a couple of errors, they get into our half and capitalise on it straight away.

“That’s something that we obviously need to work on, but they’ve given it absolutely everything today and the second half was probably a step too far for them.”