The Quarter-Finals of the Women’s Challenge Cup were played out on Sunday afternoon, with Castleford Tigers, St Helens, Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity progressing to the Semi-Finals.
Castleford Tigers booked their place in the Challenge Cup Semi Finals as they overcame a spirited Bradford Bulls side to continue their unbeaten run in 2019, and breaking a new attendance record in the process. The Tigers welcomed a crowd of 1,492 into the Mend-a-hose jungle as a new attendance record for a Women’s game in the UK was set.
Marshall, Lumb and Gentles raced Castleford into an early 14-0 lead at The Jungle, before Bradford hit back with two tries from Savannah Andrade & Amy Hardcastle before the half time break to peg the hosts back to 18-8. Castleford scored six unanswered tries in the second half, with Kelsey Gentles completing a hattrick to see off their Super League opposition and book their spot in the Semi-Final.
St Helens pulled off the perfect derby win as they dumped Wigan Warriors out of the cup in the featured Our League game. Saints, playing host at the Totally Wicked Stadium, were ruthless against a depleted Warriors side who failed to register a try on the day.
Saints scored seven tries on the afternoon, including a Leah Burke hattrick, as they broke down the Super League Champions on home soil to land them a place in the Semi-Final of the competition.
Leeds Rhinos handed a heavy defeat to Championship side Warrington Wolves in their tie, The Rhinos keeping their opposition to nil despite the Wolves best testing efforts.
Courtney Hill was the star of the show with a personal haul of 32-points with three tries and ten successful conversions, Fran Goldthorpe also bagged herself a cup hattrick on the day as Leeds ran 14 efforts past The Wolves.
The final tie of the round saw League One Keighley Albion take on Super League side Wakefield Trinity. Keighley put on a phenomenal performance to take their opponents right down to the wire as Trinity progressed with a 26-24 victory.
Keighley scored more tries on the day, getting over for five, but Lisa Taylor proved to be the difference with the boot as she successfully converted all four efforts for Trinity, as well as a penalty goal to give her side the slight advantage and seal their spot in the Semi-Final in their inaugural season as a Super League side.
The draw for the Semi Finals of the Coral Women’s Challenge Cup was made live on BBC Radio Leeds following the conclusion of the Quarter-Finals. Drawn by former England Captain, Andrea Dobson and former referee, Julia Lee, the Semi Final draw is as follows:
Wakefield Trinity v Castleford Tigers
St Helens v Leeds Rhinos
Image by @PlattyPhoto
