2021 Women's Challenge Cup Semi Finals Review

The Women's Challenge Cup resumed at the semi final stage with both ties staged at York's LNER Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

City Knights Crush Tigers

The first semi final saw York City Knights Ladies ease into the final with a 32-4 win over Castleford Tigers Women. The tie had extra spice after the recent move of five Tigresses to the Knights ahead of the previous round and in the first quarter, the new additions paid off for the Knights. Tries from Savannah Andrade, Katie Langan (Rhiannion Marshall conv) and ex-Cas back Kelsey Gentles sandwiched a penalty goal from Tigers back Tara-Jane Stanley as York led 14-2.The lead became 20-2 into the interval as Andrade clamed her second try with Marshall converting.

York continued their hold on the tie in the second half with Andrade completing her hat-trick with Marshall converting for 26-2 before adding a try of her own as the game entered the last five minutes with Ellie Hendry taking on the kicking duties with instant success for 32-2. The final score was a strange one as Castleford chose to go for two with a late penalty, Stanley successful with the boot for a 32-4 final score as York advanced to their first ever Challenge Cup final. 

St Helens Halt Holders Leeds

York's opponents in next month's final will be St Helens Women after they ended Leeds Rhinos Women's reign as holders with a 20-12 victory. Leeds opened the scoring with a penalty goal from Courtney Winfield-Hill for a 2-0 lead before Carrie Roberts crossed for the Saints to put them 4-2 up after 27 minutes. Saints extended their lead before the interval with Amy Hardcastle crossing for an 8-2 advantage into the break. 

Hardcastle doubled her tally on 53 minutes and Faye Gaskin's first success with the boot saw the Saints lead 14-2 but Leeds kept up hope and cut the deficit just before the hour mark with Fran Goldthorp's try which Winfield-Hill converted for 14-8. St Helens wrapped up the win with ten minutes to go as Roberts crossed for her second score of the afternoon with Gaskin kicking for 20-8. Leeds had the last say on the score-line late on though as Orla McCallion touched down for 20-8 in the final minute.