Leeds Rhinos Women booked their place in the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final after a hard-fought contest against Wigan Warriors at Headingley Stadium. 

There was little to separate the two teams during the first half and there was plenty of early pressure from Wigan who looked like they would break the deadlock on nine minutes when Rachel Thompson’s kick was almost pounced on by Rebecca Greenfield almost pounced, but Ruby Enright was there to clear the danger.  Mollie Jones then crossed for the Warriors but her effort was denied due to a forward pass.

Back to back sets for the Rhinos put pressure on Wigan, but their defence stood strong and they were able to hold Zoe Hornby up over the line.

Eventually, Amy Hardcastle broke through for the first try of the game.  The ball was spread wide to the England international, who powered her way over next to the posts.  Ruby Enright though was unable to add the conversion.

Six minutes later the game was back level.  After a knock-on from Caitlin Beevers play was spread out wide to Thomson who offloaded in the tackle to Beri Salihi who went through a gap in the corner.  Salihi was unable to convert her own try leaving the teams deadlocked at 4-4.

Leeds were forced to reshuffle at the start of the second half with Ruby Enright unable to come back at full back after suffering a shoulder injury in the first half, so Eloise Hayward moved to full back.  Leeds made a good start and Hardcastle was held up early in the half, before Wigan had a chance to go ahead when Anna Davies looked to go through, but impressive defence from the Rhinos kept her out. Casey then tried to find her way over after holding off her defender but again Wigan denied the stand off.

On 60 minutes Caitlin Beevers put Rhinos ahead for the first time.  The centre made took a pass from Casey and then raced clear, before cutting back on the inside to round the full-back and score under the posts..  Eloise Hayward added the conversion to increase the distance between the teams.

On 64 minutes the ball was shifted right and Hanna Butcher found Tara Moxon who dived over in the corner.  Hayward’s conversion was off target, but with eight minutes to play she made it 16 points for her side when she successfully kicked a penalty to wrap up the 16-4 win.

The Rhinos now take on St Helens in the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final on 12^th August at Wembley Stadium.

Wigan Warriors: Beri Salihi, Rebecca Greenfield, Anna Davies, Molly Jones, Kaitlin Hilton, Grace Banks, Carys Marsh, Holly Speakman, Emma Dywer, Cerys Jones, Victoria Molyneux, Mary Coleman, Rachel Thompson.

Interchanges: Alison Burrows, Sarah Bardsley, Lucy Johnson, Eva Hunter.

18th Player: Jodie Morris.

Tries: Salihi

Goals: Salihi

Leeds Rhinos: Ruby Enright, Sophie Robinson, Hanna Butcher, Caitlin Beevers, Tara Moxon, Caitlin Casey, Jenna Greening, Zoe Hornby, Kiera Bennett, Dannielle Anderson, Amy Hardcastle, Lucy Murray, Bethan Dainton.

Interchanges: Jasmine Cudjoe, Kaiya Glynn, Eloise Hayward, Isabelle Northrop.

18th Player: Beth Lockwood.

Tries: Hardcastle Beevers (60?), Moxon

Goals: Enright (0/1), Hayward (2/3).
Referee: Elliot Burrow