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Women's Challenge Cup

22 Apr 2022

Betfred Women's Challenge Cup semi-final Preview

Betfred Women's Challenge Cup semi-final Preview

The 2022 Betfred Women's Challenge Cup finalists will be decided this weekend as a blockbuster double-header of semi-final action takes place at Warrington on Sunday, with both games shown live on BBC Sport.

First up at 2.30pm, last year's finalists York City Knights clash with Leeds Rhinos - 2019's Cup winners - for a place at the Elland Road showpiece and both sides have impressed in the competition so far.

York's off-season arrivals have boosted their squad further and helped them record big wins over Bradford, Wigan and Dewsbury Moor in this year's group stage.

That was followed by a 92-2 defeat of Oulton Raidettes at the quarter-final stage, a side who had previously claimed eye-catching wins over Wakefield and Castleford.

In the opposite camp, Leeds were similarly impressive, gaining wins against Leigh Miners Rangers and away at the upwardly-mobile Huddersfield, alongside a bye win over Hull FC.

They also topped their group and then went on to beat Warrington 40-0 in the quarter-finals.

Both sides boast a host of England talent and this one really could go either way.

The day's second game is a clash of reigning champions St Helens and Super League 2 big guns Featherstone Rovers, getting underway at 5pm

St Helens surprised few with their dominent group stage efforts as they recorded convincing wins against Barrow, The Army and Warrington Wolves.

But impressively last year's treble winners didn't concede a point across those games, and they followed that up with another shut out in the quarters as they saw off Huddersfield, though they only won 24-0 in their toughest test this year to date.

In oppositon, Featherstone have upset the odds to make it this far but their results won't have been a surprise to the young but confident Rovers squad.

Their Cup journey saw a trio of local derby matches in the group stage as they edged out Oulton Raidettes and Wakefield Trinity, alongside an 86-0 defeat of Castleford.

Then they produced arguably their best performance to date as they dramatically won 12-10 against Wigan of the top tier at The Millennium Stadium two weeks ago.

Rovers are the lowest-ranked side left, with Saints the highest, but anything could happen on the day.

Betfred Women's Challenge Cup Semi-Finals

  • York City Knights v Leeds Rhinos - 2.30pm
  • St Helens v Featherstone Rovers - 5pm
  • Sunday, April 24
  • Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington
  • Live on BBC Sport