Betfred Women’s Super League
York (24) 26
Tries: Donovan 2, Partington, Wood, Goals: Stanley 5
Wigan (6) 12
Tries: Coleman, Gentles Goals: Rowe 2
York Valkyrie stunned unbeaten Wigan Warriors to set up a Women’s Super League semi-final against Leeds.
The home side fell behind early on, when Mary Coleman touched down, but quickfire tries from Monique Donovan and Eboni Partington gave them the advantage.
Lily Wood and then Donovan’s second gave them a 24-6 half-time lead and, although Kelsey Gentles added a score for Wigan after the break, the result was never in doubt.
Leon Pryce’s side will now play Leeds in the semi-final on Friday, with the winner playing against Wigan in the Grand Final on Saturday, 27 September.
For Wigan, this was a first defeat in a league match since losing to the same opposition in August last year.
They had met the Valkyrie three previous times in 2026 and won the games by a combined score of 128 to 12.
York: Donovan, Kershaw, Woods, Lenham, Partington, Stanley, Williamson, O Wood, Peach, Pakulis, Akwiwu, Andrade, Parke
Subs: (all used): Atherton, Dainton, Salihi, Gentles
Interchanges: Bell, Brennan, A Wood, (not used) Bibby
Wigan: Banks, Davies, Wilson, Jones, Derbyshire, Foubister, Rowe, Coleman, Marsh, Sams, E Hunter, R Hunter, Williams
Interchanges: Atherton, Dainton, Salihi, Gentles
Referee: Milo McKelvey.
