Defending champions Leeds Rhinos continued their perfect start to the Betfred Women’s Super League play-offs with a 14-4 win over York City Knights.

The regular season table-toppers made it nine wins in a row, after opening the play-offs with last week’s victory over Castleford Tigers, while York have lost their first two play-off matches.

The teams went in level at 4-4 at the break at the LNER Stadium as Sophie Nutall’s try cancelled out Olivia Wood’s opener.

But the Rhinos turned up the heat after the interval as Eloise Hayward and Fran Goldthorp crossed in quick succession, with a conversion from Courtney Winfield-Hill taking the lead to 14-4.

The match was delayed for over 20 minutes due to a serious head injury for York’s Georgie Hetherington and handling errors from the hosts upon resumption meant Leeds eased to the win.

🦏 RHINOS ON THE DOUBLE!

They've been under the pump in the second half, but @leedsrhinos strike a quickfire double counter punch and now lead @YCKLadies 14-4.

📺 Watch LIVE on #OURLEAGUE: https://t.co/YNgrxXEBCz pic.twitter.com/cddL016XV4

— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) August 29, 2021

In the day’s earlier game, Castleford got their first win of the play-offs as two late tries earned a 10-6 victory over Wigan Warriors.

After a cagey first half, Carys Marsh opened the scoring with a try for Wigan in their opening play-off match on the half-hour, with Georgia Wilson adding the conversion.

The match remained a tight affair, with both defences coming out on top, but the Tigers turned the contest on its head thanks to a wonderful try from Courtney Pursglove after 69 minutes.

Georgia Roche missed the conversion but Wigan’s lead was cut to two points and was soon overhauled as Roche crossed under the sticks and converted to secure the win.