Leeds Rhinos Women 8 St Helens Women 22

By Sam Brocksom

Leeds Rhinos Women were pipped at the final hurdle as they lost out to St Helens 22-8 in the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final in a historic event. The game was the first ever Women’s Challenge Cup final to be played at Wembley.

Lois Forsell made seven changes from the side that lost out to Huddersfield last week with Caitlin Beevers, Hanna Butcher, Bethan Dainton, Amy Hardcastle, Caitlin Casey, Zoe Hornby and Ruby Enright all returning.

Leeds started the game the better of the two sides, Caitlin Casey forcing a goal line drop out, allowing Rhinos to build pressure. Dannielle Anderson and Jasmine Cudjoe both managed to get over but the referee deemed the pair to be held up.

Against the run of play, a try from Saints broke the deadlock as hooker Tara Jones scampered from dummy half and after a decision from the video referee.

The Saints then managed to assert their dominance in the game scoring two more tries in quick succession. Phoebe Hook down the right edge then Eboni Partington down the left. After 20 minutes the Rhinos trailed 16-0.

Just before the half hour mark the Rhinos managed to make their mark on the game once again. Casey again with a high bomb, was collected by Caitlin Beevers who shifted the ball quickly on to Sophie Robinson, who became the first ever try scorer for Leeds Rhinos women at Wembley. Ruby Enright was unsuccessful with the conversion, but Saints lead decreased to 12 points.

90 seconds before the half-time hooter Hanna Butcher thought she had scored Leeds second. The skipper burst out of dummy half and found herself over the line but the referee and video ref both deemed her to be held up and the Rhinos went into the break 16-4 down.

The second half started in sensational fashion, with Caitlin Beevers scoring a try of the season contender just three minutes in. The centre broke down the left edge, then rang rings around the Saints back line to score a magnificent four-pointer. Enright couldn’t convert again but the Rhinos looked to be back in it.

Saints managed to find their way over the line again however as a lucky bounce from a chip and chase landed in the hands of Shona Hoyle and the forward used her strength to cross. Taylor was unable to convert but a late hit ten minutes later from Casey allowed Saints to opt for the kick at goal. Taylor added the penalty and Saints had their three-score lead.

Leeds did try to mount a late comeback with more forced drop outs however the Saints were just too strong for Leeds, whose focus will shift to lifting the Grand Final trophy at the end of the season.

Teams

Leeds

31. Ruby Enright, 5. Sophie Nuttall, 3. Caitlin Beevers, 4. Hanna Butcher, 2. Sophie Robinson, 26. Caitlin Casey, 24. Jenna Greening, 8. Zoe Hornby, 15. Jasmine Cudjoe, 10. Dannielle Anderson, 11. Amy Hardcastle, 28. Lucy Murray, 12. Bethan Dainton

Subs: 19. Elle Frain, 21. Eloise Hayward, 20. Tara Moxon, 18. Izzy Northrop

Tries: Robinson (25), Beevers (42)

Saints

6. Zoe Harris, 3. Eboni Partington, 2. Luci McColm, 11. Paige Travis, 28. Phoebe Hook, 21. Amy Taylor, 7. Faye Gaskin, 17. Pip Birchall, 9. Tara Jones, 10. Chantelle Crowl, 8. Shona Hoyle, 12. Emily Rudge, 13. Jodie Cunningham

Subs: 14. Vicky Whitfield, 15. Lucie Sams, 4. Naomi Williams, 19. Katie Mottershead

Tries: Jones (12), Hook (14), Partington (17), Hoyle (46)

Goals: Taylor 3/5