Wigan Warriors Women suffered their first defeat of the season at York Valkyrie on Saturday, losing 26-12 at the LNER Community Stadium in York. The loss ended the Warriors' unbeaten run of 16 matches this season ahead of the Grand Final.
How the match unfolded
The Warriors made a bright start, scoring inside five minutes. Carys Marsh produced an excellent break from the ruck to create space for Mary Coleman, who touched down between the sticks. Isabel Rowe converted for a 6-0 lead.
York levelled quickly when Monique Donovan weaved through the line to score. Tara-Jane Stanley kicked the conversion to level at 6-6 after 13 minutes.
The home side took the lead when Eboni Partington dived over from close range five minutes later, with Stanley adding the two points to make it 12-6. On 25 minutes, Liv Wood crossed from close range before Stanley converted again to extend York's advantage to 18-6.
York added another try before half-time when Donovan collected her own grubber kick to score her second. Stanley's conversion made the half-time score 24-6 to the home side.
Second half fight-back falls short
After York missed an early second-half penalty, the Warriors capitalised on an error. Kelsey Gentles stepped through the York defence to score on 56 minutes. Rowe's conversion reduced the deficit to 24-12.
Despite searching for a way back into the contest, the Warriors could not find another score. A penalty in the middle allowed Stanley to extend York's lead to 26-12, which proved decisive.
