The Women returned to competitive action for the first time in 2024, as the first set of group fixtures in the Betfred Women's Challenge Cup took place at the weekend.
There were six immense score-lines in Round 1 and on Saturday, Huddersfield Giants recorded an emphatic 74-0 win over Hull KR at the John Smith’s Stadium. History was made in the process, as this Challenge Cup match became the first match the Women's team have ever won inside the stadium.
In what formed as part of a double-header with the Men’s Round 5 Betfred Super League fixture, the Giants Women went on to produce a dominant display from the start, pulling off a memorable win.
It was a 14-try spectacle on the day, with Becky Grady opening the scores in the first play of the game, before going on to score her second within the first ten minutes. And it was braces galore for debutant Ellie Oldroyd, Jess Harrap, and Amelia Brown, as well as an impressive hat-trick from Ana Da Silva.
The huge winning margins continued into Saturday afternoon, as Warrington Wolves enjoyed a 0-52 victory at Odsal running in a series of tries, whilst current holders St Helens began their Challenge Cup defence against London Broncos at the Totally Wicked Stadium - producing 12 tries with Emily Rudge and Phoebe Hook scoring a hat-trick each, the final result ending 64-0. Will Saints lift the cup for a fourth consecutive year?
Over in the capital of Wales, it was a closely fought contest as Cardiff Demons secured a 22-16 win over Barrow Raiders. The Demons started strong by building up a 16-6 lead in the first forty and were able to keep a firm hold of this, despite a spirited Raiders comeback in the second half.
Sunday saw three more group fixtures take place, with York Valkyrie triumphing 10-76 at Olympic Legacy Park against Sheffield Eagles. It was a Women’s Challenge Cup debut for the Eagles, but the current Women’s Super League Champions proved too strong on the day – as Lindsay Anfield’s side will be no doubt targeting this piece of silverware the Valkyrie long for in their trophy cabinet.
Newcomers Sheffield were on the scoresheet first however, as within the opening five minutes Sarah Palmer's well-timed kick would find Agnes Wood who touched down for their first try in the cup competition. For York, Kelsey Gentles marked her return in style with a brace, having missed all of the 2023 season - and debutant Eboni Partington impressed, bagging a double in their ruthless Challenge Cup rout of the Eagles.
A local derby between Salford Red Devils and Wigan Warriors ended with the Warriors as confident victors – a 0-68 result away at the Salford Community Stadium takes Denis Betts' side to the top of their group heading into Round 2. Down the road at Twist Lane, the final cup tie saw Leeds Rhinos run riot 4-52 against Leigh Leopards, as the opening round drew to a close.
Betfred Women's Challenge Cup Round 1 results in full:
Huddersfield Giants 74 Hull KR 0
Bradford Bulls 0 Warrington Wolves 52
St Helens 64 London Broncos 0
Cardiff Demons 22 Barrow Raiders 16
Sheffield Eagles 10 York Valkyrie 74
Salford Red Devils 0 Wigan Warriors 68
Leigh Leopards 4 Leeds Rhinos 52
The Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup fixtures can be found here, with the second set of group fixtures to be played at the weekend (23/24 March).
The Betfred Women's Challenge Cup Final (KO 11.45am) will once again be part of a Finals Day triple-header at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8 June, alongside the final of the Betfred Men’s Challenge Cup (KO 3pm) and the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final (KO 5.45pm). Plus, there will be the traditional Year 7 Boys’ Champion Schools Final at 10am. Tickets are available online now from only £20 Adults and £10 Under 16s, with family packages also available.
Photo Credit: Andy Hayward and Sheffield Eagles
