WHILST York Valkyrie’s 16-12 victory at rivals Wigan Warriors propelled them above their opponents in the Betfred Women’s Super League table, it did not come without cost.

Lacey Owen, Emma Kershaw and Kelsey Gentles are now all unlikely to feature on Sunday at newly promoted Featherstone Rovers after picking up injuries during what was a physical encounter in atrocious conditions on the artificial surface at Leigh Miners Rangers.

Tries from rising stars Lisa Parker and Izzy Brennan, alongside four goals from the latter, saw Lindsay Anfield’s side record a fifth consecutive away win against Wigan and keep them in contention for a coveted home play-off tie.

Having fallen behind through Molly Jones’ try from the opening set of the match, York were ahead by the quarter-hour and taking their opportunities in the pouring rain, kept the scoreboard ticking over in their favour from the tee.

Grace Banks’ late effort set up a tense final five minutes, but the Valkyrie’s defence was not breached again as they atoned for their defeat at the LNER Community Stadium back in July and moved up to third place.

Recommended reading:

A trip to Featherstone, whom York have already scored over 200 points against in their three meetings in 2024, is one in which they are expected to close the points difference to second-placed Leeds Rhinos.

And as a result, the director of rugby is taking no unnecessary risks ahead of the upcoming end-of-season play-offs.

Speaking to The Press, Anfield confirmed: “Lacey, she’s going to have to sit this week out. She’s a little bit busted with her arm.

“Kelsey’s knee swelled up a little bit so we’re going to rest her this week, hopefully it’s nothing too serious.

“And Emma Kershaw, she got flipped upside down. Eva Hunter, she got a yellow card, but [Emma’s] hurt her shoulder and her neck, so she’ll be out now.

“It was reckless, it was unbelievably dangerous. It looks as if she’s completely flipped her upside down in the process, she’s not even pulled out [of the tackle].

“We were upset by that and the referee did react by putting her in the sin bin, but I’ve not seen anything else like that this year to be honest.”

Jess Sharp will travel to France with England's DiSE pathway.Jess Sharp will travel to France with England's DiSE pathway. (Image: Alan Milner/Milner Creative/York RLFC)

The Valkyrie will also be without teenage forward Jess Sharp, who will travel across the Channel with England’s DiSE (Diploma in Sporting Excellence) programme.

Having impressed for Hull KR, the 18-year-old earned a move to North Yorkshire last March and has established herself at the club since, scoring three tries in 25 appearances.

And whilst Sharp would undoubtedly be a boost for Anfield's side against Featherstone, she believes the young forward will only be better for her experience in France.

“Jess Sharp is away at DiSE camp in France,” the Valkyrie boss explained.

“As much as we’d probably like to have her here, being part of an international tour I think is really important for her development and the experiences that she gets in rugby league.

“For me, it’s really important that she goes [to France] even though we could probably do with her this weekend.”