YORK Valkyrie made the perfect start to the defence of their Women’s Nines title in Warrington yesterday.

The Valkyrie became the competition’s first-ever victors last year after beating Leeds Rhinos in the Final, and could hardly have wished for a better start after easing past Barrow Raiders, Hull FC and Workington.

Lindsay Anfield’s charges ran riot in Lancashire, where a number of the club’s young talent, including Eva Izumi and Chevelle Clarke were handed their debuts.

York made a flying start to their Nines campaign with a 30-4 victory against Barrow, with Woman of Steel Tara Jane Stanley opening the scoring after just three minutes with a thunderous run from 60 metres.

Georgie Hetherington was next to cross for the Valkyrie before Barrow hit back, but Georgia Taylor, Hetherington and Matilda Butler rounded off a comfortable triumph.

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The Valkyrie made an even quicker start in their second match against Hull FC, as Stanley ran the length of the pitch to score inside the opening minute.

Butler and Liv Whitehead also added their names to the scoresheet before the interval, before Hetherington scored twice in as many minutes after the break.

Emma Kershaw, and another Hetherington try saw York more than good value for their 44-0 victory.

Their win over Workington was their most impressive, with Taylor’s first-minute score setting the tone for the Valkyrie to run riot.

Hetherington then added to her tally with a two-minute brace before Bettie Lambert and Kershaw ensured Anfield’s side would lead 35-0 at the break.

Wood then scored her own brace before Ellie Hendry and Liv Gale joined in on the action to win 60-0.