14 May 2024
Rhinos Rewind: Women's Challenge Cup Semi Finals
Sunday afternoon sees Leeds Rhinos Women play their sixth consecutive Betfred Women's Challenge Cup semi final as Lois Forsell's side look to return to Wembley in 2024.
Dating back to the club's first ever semi final in 2018, the Rhinos have played three different sides over the last five years, won four out of five semi final matches and crucially when on to lift the trophy twice in 2018 and 2019. This weekend sees them face off against Wigan Warriors in a repeat of the 2023 semi-finals as Wembley awaits.
Take a look back at our previous Women's semi finals...
2018 - Wigan Warriors 8 Leeds Rhinos 26
Leeds Rhinos Women booked their place in their first-ever final after defeating a tough Wigan side at Robin Park 26-8 in the Challenge Cup semi-final.
The Rhinos took the lead after ten minutes when winger Caitlin Beevers finished off a flow move out wide. Hanna Butcher was unable to add the conversion but the visitors had made a strong start at 4-0. Four minutes later, Wigan responded to equalise when Wigan captain Gemma Walsh set up full back Rebecca Greenfield to level the score.
Leeds crucially grabbed control of the game after that with two tries before half time. The first came from an interception that was finished off for Beevers for her second try of the game and then with seven minutes to go until the interval prop Danielle Anderson proved too strong to stop near the line and crashed over. Butcher converted both to give the Rhinos a 16-4 lead at the break.
Half back Walsh and Greenfield combined again at the start of the second half to give Wigan hope of a fightback just six minutes into the second half but that was a close as the Warriors came to getting the win. Just after the hour mark, the Rhinos made their pressure count after a long spell on the Wigan line eventually they found a way over and five minutes later, full back Charlotte Booth continued her impressive season with another try. Butcher converted the latter, as her kick rebounded over off the post and the Rhinos were in full control at 26-8.
2019 - St Helens 10 Leeds Rhinos 16
It took a late try from Caitlin Beevers to split Leeds and St Helens in 2019's semi final as the Rhinos once again progressed to the final.
Sophie Nuttall and Shannon Lacey also got tries in the low-scoring affair, but Beevers' winner helped Leeds on the way to Cup success for a second consecutive season.
2021 - St Helens 20 Leeds Rhinos 12
Off the back of the Covid-affected 2021 season, Leeds saw St Helens take their revenge for 2019 as the eventual cup winners took down the Rhinos 20-12.
After two tries from Amy Hardcastle helped Saints into a strong lead, Fran Goldthorp and Orla McCallion rallied for the Rhinos but it was too late on this occasion.
2022 - York Valkyrie 26 Leeds Rhinos 28
A strong run through the 2022 Challenge Cup competition saw Leeds get the better of York in a 28-26 triumph.
In their toughest game of that year's Cup campaign, the Rhinos met every challenge York threw at them as Chloe Kerrigan touched down twice, plus Alex Barnes, Hanna Butcher and Tasha Gaines scored tries to help Leeds back into the Final.
2023 - Wigan Warriors 6 Leeds Rhinos 16
Last year's epic at AMT Headingley saw Leeds and Wigan go head to head for a place in the first final to be played at Wembley Stadium.
Amy Hardcastle and Beri Salihi exchanged tries for both sides in the opening minutes, but it took a try from Beevers on the hour mark to turn the game in the Rhinos' favour. Tara Moxon also added her name to the scorers list as Leeds marched on to Wembley.