St Helens to face Leeds in Women’s Challenge Cup final

Drew Darbyshire
Paige Travis St Helens in Women's Challenge Cup final SWpix

Paige Travis in action for St Helens | Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix

St Helens will play Leeds Rhinos in the Women’s Challenge Cup final at Elland Road on Saturday, May 7.

The Saints, who are looking to match last year’s treble triumph, battered Featherstone 82-0 in the Challenge Cup semi-final at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Sunday.

Paige Travis (2), Carrie Roberts (4), Amy Hardcastle (3), Rebecca Rotheram, Leah Burke, Eboni Partington, Vicky Whitfield, Tara Jones and Rachael Woosey (2) scored as Cup holders Saints ran in 16 tries against Rovers.

In the other semi-final, which was part of a double-header at Warrington, Leeds edged past York 28-26.

The Knights got into a 12-4 lead. But the Rhinos scored 16 points to go into the sheds 20-12 to the good. Courtney Winfield-Hill’s penalty goal provided the difference for the Rhinos.

Chloe Kerrigan (2), Alexandra Barnes, Hanna Butcher, Tasha Gainesand and Winfield-Hill scored for Leeds. Tara-Jane Stanley, Grace Field, Sinead Peach and Jasmine Bell went over for the Knights.

RFL president Clare Balding hails women’s rugby league

RFL president Clare Balding was in attendance for the double-header at Warrington, and was full of praise for the women’s game.

She said: “People talk a lot in women’s sport about it being such a good advert for the game. Yes, that’s important but whats important is that the message gets through to girls in schools that this is an option for you. If you are athletic, if you are strong, if you want to be part of a team, if you want to be part of a community, then pick rugby league.

“I just think making sure more teams have depth and talent is the next step for women’s rugby league; and making sure they get some financial reward.”

The Women’s Challenge Cup final will form part of a triple-header alongside the Men’s Challenge Cup semi-finals at Leeds United’s Elland Road.

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