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

A break from the Super League action at both levels in early May saw a triple header at Elland Road which I attended. 

Saints Cup Comeback Denies Rhinos

St Helens Women retained the Betfred Women's Challenge Cup as they came from behind to secure an 18-8 win over Leeds Rhinos Women. 

The Rhinos struck first with a well worked try from Zoe Hornby which Courtney Winfield-Hill converted for a 6-0 lead. Saints hit back with a Leah Burke try before Winfield-Hill ensured the Rhinos would take a lead into the interval with a penalty goal for 8-4 in the final minute.

The hour mark proved pivotal as after Winfield-Hill missed a penalty goal, Saints used the miss as inspiration to go down the other end and draw level with Eboni Partington's try for 8-8. Saints went ahead for the first time as Jodie Cunningham touched down and Beth Stott converted for 14-8. The win and the continued hold of the trophy was confirmed in the final seconds as Partington crossed for her second try for an 18-8 final score. 

Derby Delight For Warriors Against Saints

Wigan Warriors sealed a spot in the Challenge Cup Final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a narrow 20-18 win over fierce rivals St Helens. Wigan made the perfect start as Liam Marshall crossed for a try inside three minutes to create a 4-0 lead. The lead became 8-0 with a Cade Cust try before Liam Farrell touched down and Harry Smith converted for a comfortable 14-0 advantage into the interval.,

Saints took just seven minutes of the second half to respond as Konrad Hurrell crossed and Tommy Makinson converted for 14-6 before an instant second score as Jonny Lomax went in and Makinson converted to cut the gap to 14-12. The turnaround was completed on 57 minutes with James Roby crossing and Makinson kicked for an 18-14 Saints lead. Wigan fought back superbly with a try to live long in the memory as Marshall raced down the field in the 71st minute to claim his second of the game and level the score at 18-18. Smith swept a superb conversion through the sticks for 20-18 and the Warriors held on to seal a famous win and a trip to Spurs later that month. 

Hudds Hammer Rueful Robins

Huddersfield Giants reached the final for the first time in a decade as they cruised to a 25-4 win over Hull Kingston Rovers. The Giants raced into an 12-0 lead with tries from Josh Jones and Innes Senior both crossing inside 18 minutes with Oliver Russell converting twice and the lead remained into the interval. 

Jermaine McGillvary extended the lead within two minutes of the restart before Russell converted a penalty goal to make it 18-0 on 46 minutes. The win was confirmed by the hour as Owen Trout (Russell conv) touched down before Theo Fages swept over a drop goal for 25-0. The Robins avoided a nilling in having the final say as Shaun Kenny-Dowall went over late on for a 25-4 final score.