So ahead of today's doubleheader, director York Valkyrie at Rugby Lince Deian Field returned to Valks' LNER Community Stadium.
Valkyrie will begin a day of rugby at LNER Community Stadium when York Knights take center stage to host the center stage for the Bette Red Women's Challenge Cup Match (12pm) and welcome Featherstone Rover for the Bette Red Women's Challenge Cup Match (12pm) before hosting Doncaster.
This is the first of many doubleheaders to be held this season, and York RLFC is working hard to ensure supporters follow both clubs according to fixtures.
For Anfield and her Valkyrie team, it was the “magic” feeling that set foot on the Lner Community Stadium, and it was the first home match of the season after an away visit to the Huddersfield Giants launched the campaign last Sunday.
“It's such a magical place for us. We love to play there and we love to interact with our fans,” Anfield told the press.
“We love the support that cities and clubs give us, our women's teams, and it's important to start with this week's front foot.
“We are going to continue our campaign this year, so we need to start.
“It's always been a great day, and we have a great relationship with the boys team and the players and coaches.
“It's just a joy to be involved with us all under one roof and having our fans cheer on both sides.
“We had some issues with not having a few fixtures lined up, but this year we requested that we have as many as possible, and there are a lot.
“We are really happy with it, it's just a showcase.
“If people are coming to see men, why not support women at the same time, rather than having to go to another venue?
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“It's just making a special day special for everyone and I hope they're aiming for two victories from both sides.”
It is from Featherstone, coached by Marie Corey, who is about to ruin the afternoon fun on the York side.
After losing all matches in the women's super league last season, Featherstone launched her campaign with a 44-0 victory over Hull FC before losing 40-24 to the London Broncos.
The two teams also have history, with Valkyrie taking on a 70-0 victory past Featherstone in last year's Women's Challenge Cup.
“Featherstone is a tough side, very physical and aggressive. They have rugby smart players that are always difficult to play against,” Anfield said.
“Maybe that we have with them is athletic ability.
“It's going to be a tough encounter. We haven't seen them yet this season so we don't take anything for granted.
“We certainly want to perform well for our fans.”
Meanwhile, York has only played once this season. This was an impressive 56-0 defeat for the Huddersfield giants.
“It's one of the really difficult games. We played them in a training session a few weeks ago. We weren't really happy with how we could do things and stick to principles.
“On the Sunday we were out, they were a totally different team that was our girls.
“They stuck to everything and Huddersfield really made us work for all our points.
“I know the scoreline probably doesn't reflect that, but it was a tough encounter.
“I was really pleased with how we approached it. Our mentality and execution were really delighted.”
In Sunday's match, she returned to competitive behaviour after Sinead Peach's recent birth, and she quickly made an impression on her 60-minute display.
Anfield highly praises Peach, a steel woman in 2023, labeling her as a “really good leader” after her welcoming comeback.
“She did really well,” Anfield was enthusiastic.
“It was huge for us to get her on the pitch in the first game of the season.
“She was working hard in the preseason and was ready.
“We just threw her and she got 60 minutes so we are really pleased.
“She is definitely (a role model). I've known her for a long time and have coached her for a long time. I've seen her aspiring player with a clear leader within the group.
“She's very humble and has a sense of humor, when she talks to a girl she definitely listens to.
“That's a really good leader.”
The victory over Huddersfield did not come without results, but Anfield provided the latest update on the injury.
Evie Sexton and Olivia Wood both missed a match against Featherstone, with the former likely heading for the scan with knee concerns.
“Evie Sexton has a knee problem and hopes to get a scan next week or so.
“Olivia Wood has had a bit of subtlety on her legs over the last few weeks. It's not a big one, but this will be a game where we'll let her rest.”
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