York 4-12 Leeds: Rhinos crowned Women’s Super League champions

Leeds have regained their Women’s Super League crown as they edged past York 12-4 in a hard-fought contest at the Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens.

The Rhinos won the Women’s Super League for the first time in 2019. The 2020 season was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Leeds fell short to St Helens in last year’s final, but regained their crown thanks to a victory over York.

In the earlier kick-off at St Helens, Warrington won promotion to Women’s Super League Group One for 2023 after a convincing 34-6 win over Featherstone in the Shield final.

Lois Forsell’s side got off to the perfect start as Caitlin Beevers crashed over from close range in the seventh minute, with Courtney Winfield-Hill converting.

HT: Knights 0-6 Rhinos

Leeds were dealt a blow shortly after the second half restart when there was a lengthy stoppage. Shannon Lacey was stretchered off the pitch.

Beevers got her second in the 51st minute, with Winfield-Hill’s conversion putting her side in a 12-0 lead with half an hour remaining.

But York fought their way back into the game. Sinead Peach darted from dummy half to race over the line from 30 metres out. Tara-Jane Stanley couldn’t convert though.

It was a nervy ending to the game and the Knights threw a lot at Leeds, but they dug deep and finished 12-4 winners.

FT: York City Knights 4-12 Leeds Rhinos

York: Stanley; Gentles, Renouf, Langan, Taylor; Hetherington, Gale; Akpa, Peach, Wood, Dodd, Andrade, Owen. Subs: Bell, Kershaw, Butler, Bessahli.

Tries: Peach Goals:

Leeds: Goldthorp; Moxon, Butcher, Beevers, Robinson; Hulme, Winfield-Hill; Anderson, Bennett, Lumley, Nuttall, Murray, Hornby. Subs: Kerrigan, Lacey, Cudjoe, Lockwood.

Tries: Beevers (2) Goals: Winfield-Hill 2

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