14 Mar 2022

Betfred Women's Challenge Cup Round One Round-Up

St Helens kicked off their Betfred Women's Challenge Cup title defence with a fine 68-0 win at a spirited Barrow Raiders on Saturday.

In a tie which was shown live on BBC Sport, England centre Amy Hardcastle proved to be the star of the show as she ran in four tries, with two coming in each half for the visitors, who led 24-0 at the break.

Winger Leah Burke also scored a hat-trick of tries in 21 minutes either side of half time, while breakout England star Paige Travis showed no sign of letting up on her 2021 form as she scored twice.

Though Barrow showed spells of resistance as they get ready for their first-ever Betfred Women's Super League season this year, Saints remained well on top throughout and 44 second-half points proved to be their reward.

Tara Jones, Danielle Bush, Vicky Whitfield and Katie Mottershead all got in on the act with tries in the second 40, while Zoe Harris added extra gloss to the scoreline with eight goals from 13 attempts.

Elsewhere on Saturday, The John Smith's Stadium hosted Huddersfield Giants v Leeds Rhinos and it was the Rhinos who took the spoils.

Huddersfield did go ahead early on through Amelia Brown's unconverted try on seven minutes, but former Woman of Steel Georgia Roche soon struck back on her Leeds debut.

Fran Goldthorp and then Roche's second try put Leeds in control, before Keara Bennett went over just before the interval to give the visitors a 24-4 lead at half time.

And the Rhinos would add three more tries through Tasha Gaines, Shannon Lacey and Sam Hulme, who also kicked six goals for her side, as they pulled clear in the second period.

Huddersfield had the final say as Angel Howley scored an unconverted try on 72 minutes, leaving the Rhinos with a 30-point win.

In Sunday's action, Wigan Warriors ran in eight tries to beat Bradford Bulls 44-6 away from home.

Georgia Wilson impressed as she scored two first-half tries and kicked six goals for a 20-point haul. But it was Wigan debutant Gabi Leigh who opened the scoring just four minutes in.

Wilson's double came either side of a Kaitlin Hilton try, with Hannah Donald converting her own try for Bradford on 20 minutes.

The Warriors had seven debutants on the day but didn't look like a new side as they bagged four more tries in the first 23 minutes following the restart.

Anna Davies, Holly Speakman, Carys Marsh and Beth Hayes all went over for the visitors in what proved to be a convincing win on the road.

And Wakefield were 32-10 winners at local rivals Castleford Tigers.

The Mend-A-Hose Jungle clash saw Wakefield hand out 17 debuts to a new-look team. Kacey Davies kicked things off for Trinity, before Abbie Millward's try for 12-0.

Though Castleford struck back through Tally Bryer, Wakefield didn't let up as Lauren Harvey scored within minutes to give her side a 22-4 half time lead.

And the visitors continued their fine form in the second half, dominating in defence and adding further tries through Cassy Lawson and Libby Priestley

Megan Preston kicked four goals from six for her side. Castleford did get a second on the scoresheet, but it was only a consolation for Verity Randall as Wakefield held out for a memorable win.

In the weekend's other Betfred Women's Challenge Cup Round 1 fixtures, Leigh Miners Rangers impressed in a 72-0 home win over Hull FC, there was a big 50-8 win for Warrrington Wolves away at The Army and York City Knights beat Dewsbury Moor 78-0 on the road. There was also a routine 30-10 win for Featherstone Rovers at Oulton Raidettes.

Betfred Women's Challenge Cup Round 1 Results

Saturday: