Here’s how Sunday's semi-final action unfolded…
The Betfred Challenge Cup Semi-Finals continued at the Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens on a Sunday filled with sunshine, as St Helens Women and Warrington Wolves booked their place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 7 June.
St Helens, who have held the Women’s Challenge Cup trophy for the last four years, will meet rivals Wigan Warriors Women under the Wembley arches, after recording a 10-6 victory over York Valkyrie on Sunday.
The Totally Wicked Stadium double-header began with a tight and gritty Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Semi-Final – on what was another hot afternoon for some knockout rugby league action.
The first half was closely contested between the current holders and 2024 Women's Grand Final winners, with just a Faye Gaskin penalty separating the two sides at the break.
Valkyrie’s Ellie Williamson also came up with a terrific try-saving tackle denying Amy Hardcastle as Saints pushed hard in the first half.
There was relentless pressure from the Red V on Valkyrie’s line, but Lindsay Anfield’s Women defended valiantly and kept their opponents out until the interval.
Tries eventually came in the second stanza - firstly through Shona Hoyle who powered over for Saints from close range on the 47th minute.
York then hit back just before the hour mark as Rhiannon Marshall crashed over beside the posts - making it a tense two-point ball game as they headed into the closing stages.
Another penalty goal for Saints enabled them to take a four-point lead with five minutes on the clock, as the current holders held out to progress through to their fifth consecutive Women’s Challenge Cup Final.
In the Men’s Semi-Final in St Helens, Warrington Wolves snapped up the final place in the Challenge Cup Finals, after a truly pulsating contest with Leigh Leopards.
Inside the first minute of the match, Leigh talisman Edwin Ipape charged down Marc Sneyd’s kick in the opening set and raced away to touch down in the corner, beating Warrington speedster Matty Ashton in the process.
This set the tone as intensity levels stepped up, with Rodrick Tai and Paul Vaughan responding with spectacular and quick-fire tries for Wire, before Sneyd - with all the experience in the world – calmly slotted over a drop goal to extend his side’s lead to 15-4 at half-time.
Momentum constantly shifted throughout the course of the 80 minutes, and although the Leopards went on to outscore their opponents with an incredible Tesi Niu double in the second half, Toby King’s late score and Sneyd’s important one-pointer, proved to be difference on what was an emotional afternoon.
It’s back-to-back finals for Sam Burgess’ men, who will come up against Willie Peters' Hull KR side in the 2025 Challenge Cup Final next month.
Sunday’s Betfred Challenge Cup Semi-Final results:
St Helens 10 York Valkyrie 6
Warrington Wolves 21 Leigh Leopards 14
Finals Day at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 7 June is a triple-header featuring the finals of the Betfred Challenge Cup (Men’s and Women’s), alongside the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final and RFL Champion Schools Year 7 Boys Final. Tickets are on sale now!
