York Valkyrie U19s vs Wigan Warriors U19s — Match Report

Liv Whitehead scores her first try of the game after a dash under the sticks. Photo credit: York RLFC

It was a scrappy back-and-forth tussle between York and Wigan within the first 20. While Wigan were able to press deeper into the half than the Valkyrie, they couldn’t find a gap.

Wigan’s Isabel Glover drew first blood, exploiting the Valkyrie’s left wing. Emma Welsford’s try followed via a scrum close to the York line, dashing past York’s left edge once more, with the kick from Higson on point.

Valkyrie fullback Liv Whitehead dived under the sticks in a barnstorming dash to the line to put York on the scoreboard, converting her try to make it 6–10 Wigan.

The home side kept applying the pressure, finding another 6 points allowing them to take the lead with Courtney Marsh’s try and Whitehead’s conversion.

The Valkyrie got the second half underway in fine manner; T’Leesha Frederick Maynard was rewarded for her attacking efforts with York’s third try. Whitehead was once again accurate with the boot.

There was no stopping Cody Marsh in the 54th minute as she crashed through the Wigan attack. Despite Whitehead’s missed conversion, there were a comfortable 12 points separating the two sides.

Wigan were on a comeback, ever present in the York half. It was Maddison Higson who’d break the tension with a dive in the left corner, though unable to add the 2 to her own try. Mia Atherton was the next to cross the line for the Warriors in quick succession. Higson was successful with her kick, leaving scores 22–20 York.

The Warriors were broaching the line until the very last second, but couldn’t get past the mighty York wall. The Valkyrie U19s have now won 6 of their 7 games this season.

York: Liv Whitehead, Izzy Smith, Chevelle Clarke, Charlie Lawson, Amelia Beech, Courtney Marsh, T’Leesha Frederick Maynard, Nancy Hirst, Poppy Howdle, Oceana Faulkner, Sophie Duffy.

Subs: Alisha Roper, Hope Throw, Connie Thomas, Bethan Candlin, Millie Dearn, Skye Robinson

Tries: Courtney Marsh, Liv Whitehead, T’Leesha Frederick-Maynard, Cody Marsh

Goals: Whitehead (3/4)

Wigan: Eve Ashcroft, Sydney Alderman-Smith, Kerrie-Rose Evans, Emma Welsford, Anna Davies, Maddison Higson, Isabel Glover, Emily Haley, Ellie Thirkell, Lydia Egan, Mia-Jayne Atherton, Emma Davies, Amber Harmon.

Subs: Lily Wilkinson, Jessica Brown, Sophie Morris, Arabella Reed, Alice Connolly, Ellie Holmes, Charlotte Nixon.

Tries: Glover, Welsford, Higson, Atherton

Goals: Higson (2/4)