York Valkyrie Ground Out First Super Four Win as Leeds Rhinos' Unbeaten Run Ends

York Valkyrie held off Leeds Rhinos 18-14 at the LNER Community Stadium to record their first victory of the Women's Super League Super Four stage — and hand Leeds their first defeat since the mid-season split. (BBC Sport)

The Super Four stage is the top tier of the Women's Super League's post-split format, where the strongest sides from the regular season play off for a place in the Grand Final. York had been searching for a foothold in that group; on Sunday they found it.

Leeds, who had not lost since the league divided, crossed through Ebony Stead, Nicole Kennedy and Liv Whitehead. York's tries came from Tamzin Renouf, Tara-Jane Stanley and Megan Pakulis — a try apiece, with the goal-kicking and a penalty ultimately separating the sides in a contest that went to the wire.

At 18-14 the margin was a single score. In rugby league, a try is worth four points and a conversion two, so a four-point lead is never comfortable. Leeds pushed for the equalising score; York's defence held.

For the Valkyrie, it is a result that resets their Super Four campaign after what had been a winless start. For the Rhinos, it punctures the momentum they had built through the second half of the season.

There were two further Women's Super League fixtures on the day, both in the Shield competition — the tier below the Super Four for clubs in the bottom half after the split.

Barrow Raiders beat Leigh Leopards 16-8, with tries from Leah Clough, Jodie Crawford and Emma Hutchinson. Leigh replied through Storm Cobain and Nicole Barnett but could not close the gap. (BBC Sport)

That victory was Barrow's first of the season, a notable moment for a side who were promoted to the Women's Super League in 2021 alongside the competition's established names — Wigan Warriors, Castleford Tigers, York, Leeds and champions St Helens. (Barrow Raiders) They have been building the squad since, including handing Sam Unsworth a permanent place in the first-team squad earlier this month after she featured against Leeds and Leigh. (Barrow Raiders)

At Laund Hill, Huddersfield Giants ran in a comprehensive 44-6 win over Featherstone Rovers in the Shield. Amelia Brown was the standout, scoring four of Huddersfield's tries in a dominant display. (BBC Sport)

The Women's Super League season is now deep into its post-split phase, with the Super Four sides jockeying for Grand Final qualification and Shield teams fighting for momentum of their own. York's win over Leeds tightens the picture at the top; Barrow's long-awaited first victory brings relief at the other end.