It’s Our Heart: York Eyeing Grand Final Glory After Stunning Season

York City Knights Ladies are targeting Grand Final glory after stunning Leeds Rhinos at Headingley to win the League Leaders’ Shield.

Two tries each from Player of the Match Tara Jane Stanley and Katie Langan secured York their second win of the season over Leeds having fought back from 10-0 down to clinch top spot ahead of the Rhinos and St Helens.

The silverware rewards a brilliant season for Lindsay Anfield’s side, who 16 months ago saw their new coach take charge of a team second from bottom and have been transformed into trophy winners. But the York boss has told The Sportsman it will count for little if they are unable to use it as a springboard to winning the big one.

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“The aim has to be the Grand Final,” she said. “A lot of people do the League Leaders’ Shield down but it is for the team who has been the best throughout the season so it is a massive trophy. 

“Rightly or wrongly all the emphasis is put on the Grand Final though so we have to get back to work and graft for that.”

Anfield believes Sunday’s thrilling live shootout on The Sportsman underlines the giant strides forward the women’s game has taken this season and is urging more of the leading Betfred Super League clubs to invest in it.

“My view is that each club offers the players something and the better provision the clubs offer the players the the better players they are going to recruit,” Anfield said.

“Warrington are doing a fantastic job at the moment in Super League 2 and hopefully they are going to come up and compete with the top three clubs York, Leeds and Saints. The more clubs that pay attention to the women’s game, the more they will reap the rewards.

“This for us is fantastic and immense for the players, the club and the fans and most importantly the city - to put the club on the map there. We have done it tough for the last couple of months and I’m really proud of them.

“There are so many players who have had to play different positions, play through injury or with things going on in their private lives. They have shown a huge amount of resilience.”

Anfield’s comments were echoed by star player Stanley, who destroyed Leeds with her dazzling footwork and incisive line speed.

“It’s a dream for these girls and after what we’ve been through it is absolutely phenomenal. The team had a revamp 18 months ago and to do what they have done in that time is absolutely amazing.

“It’s what we have got underneath the emblem, it’s our heart, every single training session and every single gym session we have put one hundred and ten per cent in. The hours of work the coaching staff put in behind the scenes is incredible, and to see it all come together leaves me dumbfounded.

“The supporters are our 14th man. We look up and see those fans and the support we have is insane, I can’t thank them enough.”

The 2022 Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final will take place at St Helens on Sunday September 18, with the semi-finals both taking place at Headingley.