The women are short in the semifinals

• Match report as Wigan Warriors Women were beaten by Leeds Rhinos in the semi-final of the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup.
• Wigan scored tries through Victoria Molyneux, Grace Banks and Jade Gregory-Haselden, while Emma Knowles maintained a perfect record from the tee.
• FT | Wigan Warriors 20-34 Leeds Rhinos.

Wigan Warriors Women were beaten 34-20 by Leeds Rhinos Women in the semi-final of the Betfred Challenge Cup.

Despite a valiant effort throughout the 80 minutes at the Totally Wicked Stadium, the Warriors failed to reach the final at Wembley.

Report

Leeds got off to the perfect start as the kick-off was allowed to bounce into touch from the Warriors to see the Rhinos regain possession for the opening set. They worked an overlap down the left flank to see Enright over for the opener, the defender unable to convert his own effort for 4-0.

Wigan responded in the 11th minute, Isabel Rowe sending Mary Coleman down the right before she was brought down. As Wigan sent the ball out, Rhinos got a hand to flick it forward for another set piece for Wigan. Vicky Molyneux on her first start in 2024 seized the chance to step inside and cross. Emma Knowles converted for Wigan to take a 6-4 lead.

Soon after, Wigan were awarded a penalty from close range which Knowles hit between the posts to make it 8-4.

A short kick-off caught Wigan out though as Leeds got the ball back in hand. Caitlin Beevers found herself down the left wing to dive over to level the scores with Enright unable to convert.

Wigan took the lead just after half an hour after some fantastic team play. Asking all the questions close to the Rhinos’ goal line, Leeds held firm but Grace Banks found space to go over close to the posts. Emma Knowles made three of three to put the Warriors up 14-8.

A try on the stroke of half-time saw Leeds go through substitute Zoe Hornby, who escaped a tackle close to the uprights. Enright added the two as the teams went toe-to-toe at 14-14.

The Warriors were quick out of the blocks when Jade Gregory-Haselden put Wigan back in front in the 42nd minute. A penalty for the Warriors brought them 10m out and a through ball to midfield saw the striker over the near posts. Knowles made 4/4 off the tee to make it 20-14.

Leeds hit back soon after captain Hanna Butcher crossed down the right but Enright was unable to convert the effort as Wigan held on to a 20-18 lead.

Butcher was involved again in the 50th minute when a cross-field kick to the last found Ruby Enright, who gathered well to ease over the near posts, converting her own score as the Rhinos retook the lead to make it 24- 20.

Leeds raced into a 10-point lead in the 55th minute when Lucy Murray found space to slot over and extend Leeds’ lead. The outside conversion was on target from Enright for 30-20 in favor of the Rhinos going into the final quarter.

Davies and Derbyshire combined for a promising break down the wing which was held up by the Leeds defence, before the Rhinos stood firm once again to force the Warriors out of the game just before the line.

Strong defensive work on their own line saw the Warriors prevent Leeds from extending their lead further despite losing Banks to injury in the 66th minute.

After a sustained period of pressure on the Warriors defence, Leeds added a seventh try in the 72nd minute when Bennett took over and broke free to the ground under pressure. Bennett was unable to add the extras as the Rhinos led 34-20.

The Warriors kept their heads up until the final whistle and their efforts almost paid off in the closing stages when Casey held off three opposition players as she attempted to land. However, following a review with the video referee, the decision not to try on the field stood due to the double move. Neither team could add any further points in the closing minutes as Leeds Rhinos held on to a 34-20 lead to go to Wembley.

Gallery:

Wigan Warriors: Grace Banks, Emma Welsford, Kaitlin Hilton, Anna Davies, Ellise Derbyshire, Isabel Rowe, Emma Knowles, Holly Speakman, Rease Casey, Alice Fisher, Victoria Molyneux, Mary Coleman, Rachel Thompson.

Change: Abbie Singleton, Jade Gregory-Haselden, Cerys Jones, Jenna Foubister.

18th player: Bethany Hayes.

Try: Molyneux (11′), Banks (32′), Gregory-Haselden (42′), Casey

Objectives: Knowles (4/4)

Leeds Rhinos: Ruby Enright, Evie Cousins, Amy Hardcastle, Caitlin Beevers, Liv Whitehead, Hanna Butcher, Caitlin Casey, Grace Field, Keara Bennett, Isabel Northrop, Lucy Murray, Bella Sykes, Bethan Dainton.

Change: Zoe Hornby, Ella Donnelly, Sophie Robinson, Jenna Greening.

18th player: Elychia Watson.

Try: Enright (1′, 50′), Beevers (22′), Hornby (37′), Butcher (45′), Murray (55′), Bennett (72′).

Objectives: Enright (3/6), Bennett (0/1).

Referee: Adam Williams