Wigan Warriors’ unbeaten season ends as Women’s Super League semi-final set

Wigan Warriors have seen their unbeaten season come to an end in the Women’s Super League, with the competition’s play-off semi-finals now set.

Denis Betts’ side have already had an incredible year and they had hoped to finish it off unbeaten but those hopes came to an end at the hands of York Valkyrie, who booked their spot in the semi-finals with a 26-12 win.

Wigan, who have already won the Challenge Cup, the League Leaders Shield, and qualified for the Grand Final, were clear favourites to secure another win against a York side who knew they must win to keep their season going.

The Valkyrie had seemingly seen their semi-final hopes dashed the week before when they lost at home to St Helens, who started the day two points clear of York thanks to their Saturday win over Leeds.

However, York upset the odds and beat Wigan, handing the Warriors their first defeat since August last year, with that loss also being at the hands of the Valkyrie.

It’s a win for York that means St Helens’ season ends in cruel circumstances with the Red Vee surely hopeful that they had done enough having beaten York and Leeds in the past two weeks. Defeat for Saints also means that Jodie Cunningham and Emily Rudge have played the final games for the club, with the pair to retire at the end of the season.

Dissecting Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors, St Helens miss the six and Wakefield make statement – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show

Wigan Warriors’ year-long unbeaten streak ends

Wigan scored first, as they have done in every game of the year, through Mary Coleman but York hit back as birthday girl Monique Donovan scored before Eboni Partington scored soon after with that try ensuring Wigan trailed for the first time this season.

A third York try came before the half hour as Liv Wood crossed over with Donovan then doubling up before half time as she grounded her own grubber to give Leon Pryce’s side a 24-6 lead at the break.

Wigan hit back but a Tara-Jane Stanley penalty stretched the lead back to three scores and ultimately wrapped up a brilliant win that keeps York’s season alive, whilst ending the Warriors’ unbeaten campaign.

York will now head to Headingley next week to play Leeds Rhinos in the play-off semi-final, with the winner then set to travel to face Wigan Warriors in the Grand Final on Sunday, 27th September.

Women’s Super League play-offs dates and times

Semi-final: Leeds Rhinos v York Valkyrie – Friday, 18th September @ 5:15 pm

Grand Final: Wigan Warriors v Leeds Rhinos/York Valkyrie – Sunday, 27th September @ 5:30 pm

⚔ 𝙁𝙐𝙇𝙇 𝙏𝙄𝙈𝙀!

THE VALKYRIE ARE THROUGH TO THE SEMI FINALS!#OurEra | #ThisIsYork ⚔ pic.twitter.com/sEnU3XVbY9

— York RLFC Valkyrie (@YorkValkyrie) September 13, 2026