The Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup continues this weekend (23/24 March) following a blockbuster opening round which saw over 440 points scored.
Featherstone Rovers were the first women’s team to win the Women's Challenge Cup when the competition began in 2012 and they will start their 2024 cup campaign against Sheffield Eagles at the Millenium Stadium on Sunday (KO 12pm).
Rovers' captain Brogan Churm, has enjoyed plenty of success with team since joining 11 seasons ago - including in 2017 when she crossed the whitewash twice to help her side to a second Challenge Cup Final. And she’s looking forward to showing what Featherstone can do on Sunday: “We’re going to turn up with the right attitude, give it a good shot and represent ourselves in the best way possible.”
Huddersfield Giants made history last weekend when the women’s team recorded their first win at the John Smith’s Stadium against Hull KR. The 14 try spectacle included a hat-trick from Ana Da Silva with Becky Grady, Amelia Brown, Ellie Oldroyd, and Jess Harrap all crossing for a brace - they face Leigh Leopards on Sunday (KO 3pm).
History will also be made when Hull KR face two-time Challenge Cup winners Leeds Rhinos for the first time in their history on Sunday (KO 2pm). Headed up by Ben Parker, the side have risen through the ranks from League One in 2019 to the Northern Women’s Championship (NWC) and will now get the chance to test themselves against Super League royalty.
Amanda Wilkinson will come up against her old club when Wigan Warriors travel to Craven Park to face Barrow Raiders (KO 2pm) on Sunday. Barrow suffered a shock 22-16 defeat to Cardiff Demons in Round One so will be hoping to bounce back this weekend – the Demons however will be hoping to keep their momentum going when they welcome Salford Red Devils on Saturday (KO 2pm).
Current Challenge Cup holders St Helens will travel to NWC outfit Bradford Bulls on Saturday (KO 2pm) – Matty Smith’s side got off to a blistering start against London Broncos last weekend and are in strong contention to go all the way once again this season - in what would be a fourth successive year. The Broncos however, are yet to go any further than the group stages of the competition and will face a tough test against Armani Sharrock’s Warrington Wolves (KO 3.30pm).
Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Group Stage Round 2 fixtures in full:
Saturday 23 March
Cardiff Demons v Salford Red Devils, Cardiff University Sports Park, 2pm
Bradford Bulls v St Helens, Odsal Stadium, 2pm
Sunday 24 March
Featherstone Rovers v Sheffield Eagles, Millenium Stadium, 12pm
Barrow Raiders v Wigan Warriors, Craven Park, 2pm
London Broncos v Warrington Wolves, Rosslyn Park, 3.30pm
Leigh Leopards v Huddersfield Giants, Leigh Miners Rangers, 3pm
Hull KR v Leeds Rhinos, Sewell Group Craven Park, 2pm
The Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup fixtures can be found here, with the final set of group fixtures to be played at the weekend (6/7 April).
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.
