St Helens won their fourth Challenge Cup in a row with a decisive win over Leeds Rhinos – Total Rugby League

St Helens won the Challenge Cup for the fourth consecutive season with an impressive 22-0 win over Leeds Rhinos at Wembley.

The same teams played in the final for the third year in a row and the second time at Wembley, and Leeds again felt the pain against a team that always performs in the Challenge Cup.

After a promising start by the Rhinos, quick tries from Faye Gaskin – who was outstanding – and Phoebe Hook put Matty Smith’s side in front.

And they never looked like causing trouble in the second half as scores from Luci McColm and Chantelle Crowl sealed a record seven Challenge Cup triumphs for the Saints (including three in their former guide to Thatto Heath Crusaders).

Leeds were in front for much of the early stages, but the closest they came to the points was when Liv Whitehead kicked a loose ball in front of the tryline after Saints defender Beri Salihi failed to collect a shot from Caitlin Casey.

The opening score of the final came against the run of play after 25 minutes when Gaskin expertly navigated through the Leeds try-line defense and converted the try herself for a 6-0 lead.

Five minutes later it became 10-0 when a passing move ended with Zoe Harris putting Hook in the corner.

Another wonderful sweep extended Saints’ lead five minutes into the second half as McColm slid over and Gaskin added the touchline conversion.

And with Leeds unable to put the Saints under any sustained pressure, the result was confirmed nine minutes from time as prop Crowl charged over.

A fuller report and reaction will be published in Monday’s League Express.

Leeds: Ruby Enright, Evie Cousins, Amy Hardcastle, Caitlin Beevers, Liv Whitehead, Hanna Butcher, Caitlin Casey, Grace Field, Keara Bennett, Izzy Northrop, Lucy Murray, Shona Hoyle, Bella Sykes. Subs: Bethan Dainton, Ella Donnelly, Zoe Hornby, Sophie Robinson.

St Helens: Beri Salihi, Phoebe Hook, Erin Stott, Luci McColm, Leah Burke, Zoe Harris, Faye Gaskin, Vicky Whitfield, Tara Jones, Chantelle Crowl, Paige Travis, Emily Rudge, Jodie Cunningham. Replacements: Naomi Williams, Darcy Stott, Katie Mottershead, Georgia Sutherland.

Try: Gaskin (25), Hook (30), McColm (45), Crowl (71)
Objectives: Gaskins 3/4