2022 Women's Challenge Cup Semi Finals (Catch-up)

Another delayed post as the catch-up continues with the Women's Challenge Cup Semi Finals which were held at Warrington Wolves' Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Rhinos Comeback To Deny City Knights 

The first semi final saw Leeds Rhinos Women come from behind to seal a 28-26 win over York City Knights Ladies. A perfect start for York saw Tara-Jane Stanley cross for a try in the opening minute which she converted for a 6-0 lead. Leeds replied with Chloe Kerrigan touching down for a brace either side of an effort from Grace Field (Stanley conv) as York led 12-8. The Rhinos went ahead for the first time with two scores in four minutes as Alexandra Barnes and Hanna Butcher crossed with Courtney Winfield-Hill converting twice for 20-12 and this remained into the interval. 

York cut the gap with a Sinead Peach try and Stanley conversion for 20-18 before Stanley levelled at 20-20 with a penalty goal. The equality lasted just two minutes as Tasha Gaines crossed for Leeds with Winfield-Hill converting for a 26-20 advantage. York hit back to level again with Jasmine Bell touching down and Stanley converting for 26-26. The win was sealed for the Rhinos as Winfield-Hill converted a penalty goal for 28-26 to send them into the final. 

Super Saints Rout Rovers

St Helens Women moved a step closer to retaining the trophy with a comfortable 82-0 victory over Featherstone Rovers Ladies. A rapid start from the Saints saw Paige Travis cross inside six minutes for 4-0 before a brace from Carrie Roberts and Amy Hardcastle try were coupled by two Zoe Harris conversions for a 20-0 advantage. Rebecca Rotherham and Leah Burke crossed to increase the lead further before Travis reached her brace and Roberts claimed her hat-trick try, Harris converted only the final two for 40-0 into the interval. 

The scoring spree resumed within two minutes of the restart with Eboni Partington crossing for 44-0 before Roberts scored her fourth ahead of a Vicky Whitfield effort for 52-0. Rotherham and Hardcastle completed their braces either side of the hour mark with a Beth Stott conversion moving the lead to a huge 62-0. The win was rounded off by a Tara Jones score, hat-trick try for Hardcastle and a rapid late brace from Rachel Woosey with Stott converting twice for the 82-0 final score.