WOMEN’S TEAM

Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter-Final

Sunday 27 April 2025

LNER Community Stadium (Noon)

York Valkyrie 52-0 Leigh Leopards

Leopards bowed out of the Challenge Cup at the last eight stage, conceding ten tries against the Super League champions on a hot day in York.

Despite having Jess Sharp sent off for a stamping offence, York played with the fluency and confidence of a top team, scoring five tries in each half.

Leopards defended stoutly and made the home team work hard throughout and created several scoring opportunities.

But York had conceded only one try in their opening games and again looked impressively organised when placed under pressure.

York scored four tries in the opening quarter including a double by Jas Rampton, but resolute Leopards defence restricted them to just one further score in the first half.

26-0 ahead at the break, York doubled their lead in a second half that saw a double by Emma Kershaw.

As a preparation for the start of the league campaign Leopards could not have wished for a tougher test.

They were already under no illusions about the challenge ahead with the top four sides, including York, way above the other four of whom Leopards are one.

But this was a much-improved display from the cup game at Leeds Rhinos and head coach Kieron Purtill could be happy with the improvement and the great mental strength of his players in adversity.

Valkyrie

Georgie Dagger; Eboni Partington, Tamzin Renouf, Jaz Rampton, Emma Kershaw; Sade Rihari, Ellie Williamson; Jas Bell, Sinead Peach, Lisa Parker, Savannah Andrade, Liv Wood, Megan Pakulis.

Bench:

Izzy Bibby, Tara Moxon, Jess Sharp, Izzy Brennan

Tries:

Andrade (4), Rampton (7,18), Partington (10), Brennan (33), Bibby (46), Pakulis (48), Moxon (52), Kershaw (65, 69)

Goals:

Williamson 6/ 10

Red card:

Sharp (27)

Leopards

Hattie Dogus; Toryn Blackwood, Mackenzie Taylor, Mollie Young, Kim Seddon; Rhianna Burke, Leah Morris; Emily Baggaley, Abi Gordon, Eleanor Dainty, Storm Cobain, Charlotte Melvin, Abby Latchford

Bench:

Kate Howard, Lucy Johnson, Alice Fisher, Macy McDermott

Scoring sequence:

6-0, 10-0, 14-0, 20-0, 26-0 (ht) 32-0, 38-0, 44-0, 48-0, 52-0