Leeds Rhinos’ women missed a chance to secure a home semi-final when they were beaten 18-14 at York Valkyrie today.

A win would have guaranteed Rhinos at least second spot in the table, but after a positive start they were second-best to a Valkyrie side inspired by England star Tara-Jane Stanley.

Ebony Stead’s try gave Rhinos an early lead, but Stanley - who recently returned from long-term injury - sent Tamzin Renouf over and then scored a solo try, converting both to make it 12-4 midway through the first half.

Magan Pakulis crashed over for a converted try to extend York’s lead 15 minutes into the second period and though Leeds pulled tries back by Nicole Kennedy and Liv Whitehead - the first goaled by Mel Howard - they had left themselves too much to do.

Nicole Kennedy scores for Leeds Rhinos in their defeat at York Knights. Picture by Matthew Merrick/SWpix.com.

placeholder image — Nicole Kennedy scores for Leeds Rhinos in their defeat at York Knights. Picture by Matthew Merrick/SWpix.com.

The league leaders after the Super-fours will go straight through to the Grand Final, with the teams in second and third playing off for the other spot. Second-placed Leeds are six points ahead of St Helens and York and have a better for and against.

Their remaining fixtures are home and away to Wigan and against Saints at AMT Headingley. Today’s (Sunday) game kicked off more than 15 minutes late because of a problem with the doctor’s video feed which is used to monitor possible concussions.

York Valkyrie: Donovan, Kershaw, Woods, Lenham, Partington, Stanley, Williamson, Wood, Peach, Pakulkis, Renouf, Andrade, Parker. Subs Bibby, Bell, Brennan, Henderson.

Leeds Rhinos: Enright, Whitehead, Cousins, Boyd, Stead, Howard, Walker, Naidole, Bennett, Glynn, Kennedy, Murray, Brown. Subs Bruce, Sharp, Sykes, Bryer.

Referee: Matt Clayton (Huddersfield).