The Semi-Finals for the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup are set after a weekend of intense match-ups in the quarter-finals saw teams move just one step away from a place at Wembley Stadium.
Holders Wigan Warriors will face York Valkyrie on Saturday 9 May at Halliwell Jones Stadium (KO 11:30am) whilst St Helens battle Leeds Rhinos at Eco-Power Stadium on Sunday 10 May (KO 1pm).
The Warriors hosted London Broncos on Saturday in what proved an historic victory as Molly Jones, Ellise Derbyshire, Georgia Wilson, Grace Banks and Isabel Rowe all scored first half tries whilst Bethan Dainton crossed for a hat-trick.
The Broncos just couldn’t get off the mark as the Warriors continued to apply immense pressure throughout the game.
The points continued to flow into the second half as Kelsey Gentles crossed for her first Wigan try on 43 minutes whilst Caitlin Padgett scored on debut. Rowe’s successful conversion took her points total to 44 as Wigan progressed to the final four with a record-breaking victory at 112-0.
St Helens hosted Barrow Raiders at BrewDog Stadium in a double header with the men’s side as the Saints too put on a dominant show having secured top spot in Group A a week earlier.
The Red V got the scoring underway after just two minutes when Paige Travis went over for her first try since making her return to the side.
St Helens surrendered little control the whole game, almost finishing as the only points scorers before Barrow made it onto the scoreboard in the 78th minute.
But by then it was too late for the Raiders as the Saints finished the game at 68-6 in what was a huge game for Emily Rudge as she made her 100th appearance for St Helens Women.
Rounding off Saturday were Leeds Rhinos and Cardiff Demons who met for the first time at AMT Headingley Stadium.
The Rhinos have had a great start to the cup, not allowing any of their opponents a point on the board – a theme which continued into this weekend’s game against the Demons.
The Rhinos booked their place in the semi-finals after another dominant attacking game which saw them get five tries in the first 15 minutes when Liv Whitehead opened the scoring.
Forsell’s side came close to losing their clean sheet after Cardiff almost made it over as the game came to a close, but the referee ruled the score out as Leeds continue their run without having conceded a single point.
The final game of the weekend came on Sunday when York Valkyrie hosted Huddersfield Giants at LNER Community Stadium.
The Valkyrie picked up a 20-0 lead at the break after a dominant first 40.
The Giants came back fighting in the second half, crossing twice to rack up 10 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Valkyrie’s lead which saw the score settle at 34-10 which included a brace for Eboni Partington.
Betfred Women's Challenge Cup Round 3 results:
St Helens 68 Barrow Raiders 6
Wigan Warriors 112 London Broncos 0
Leeds Rhinos 68 Cardiff Demons 0
York Valkyrie 34 Huddersfield Giants 10
Betfred Women's Challenge Cup Semi-Finals:
Saturday 9 May
Wigan Warriors v York Valkyrie – Halliwell Jones Stadium – KO 11:30am (BBC iPlayer)
Sunday 10 May
St Helens v Leeds Rhinos – Eco-Power Stadium – KO 1pm (BBC iPlayer)
It's Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 30 May 2026. Book your tickets here!
Photo Credit: Wigan Warriors
