Women’s Super League: Shock wins for York Valkyrie and Barrow

York Valkyrie claimed their first victory of the Super Four stage, stunning high-flying Leeds Rhinos 18-14 and condemning the visitors to their first defeat since the mid-season split, while Barrow also pulled off a shock win, beating Leigh Leopards 16-8 in the Shield.

The Rhinos were first on the board at LNER Community Stadium thanks to Ebony Stead’s pinpoint effort, before Valkyrie struck back before half-time with efforts from Tamzin Renouf and Tara-Jane Stanley.

Megan Pakulis crashed over from short range after the restart to increase the lead to 14, which was then cut to 10 by Nicole Kennedy’s magnificent counter-attacking effort from within her own half.

With the clock ticking down, the Rhinos got a third as Liv Whitehead went over in the corner, but they were unable to get that crucial extra score, leaving York to celebrate avenging their heavy loss to Leeds earlier this month.

In another shock result, Barrow Raiders also secured their first win of the season.

Leah Clough opened the scoring for the Raiders before Storm Cobain responded for the visitors.

Jodie Crawford and Emma Hutchinson then extended the home side’s lead either side of half-time, with Nicole Barnett’s late score proving nothing but a consolation for the Leopards.

The win gives Raiders hope of avoiding the relegation/promotion play-off, although they will still need to pick up points in their final three games to have any chance of jumping Leigh in the table.

Also in the Shield, Amelia Brown scored four tries as Huddersfield Giants beat Featherstone Rovers 44-6 at Laund Hill.

Mollie Iceton and Lydia Fawkes exchanged early tries before the Giants took control, scoring an additional two tries through Meg Preston and Brown before the break.

Iceton and Madison Clegg then topped up the score before Brown put on a try-scoring exhibition, scoring three further tries, with the Giants now six points ahead of their nearest rivals in the competition.