Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup: Wembley on the horizon as group stage reaches conclusion

The final group stage fixtures of the Betfred Women's Challenge Cup take place this weekend (6/7 April), meaning that eight clubs will be one step closer to the final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8 June. 

Cardiff Demons have secured their place in the quarter finals for only the second time in their history and will travel to Robin Park Arena to face Wigan Warriors on Sunday to decide who will top Group Two (Sunday 6, KO 2pm). The winner of this match will have home advantage in the quarter finals and, with Cardiff having already impressed at home against Barrow Raiders and Salford Red Devils, Wigan head coach Denis Betts will be hoping his side put on their Sunday best.  

Home advantage is also on the line in Group One, with reigning Betfred Women’s Super League champions York Valkyrie hosting Featherstone Rovers at YSJ Sports Park on Saturday (KO 1pm). The Challenge Cup is the only trophy to still allude the Valkyrie who know that a home tie in the quarter finals could help them on the way to Wembley this year. 

Warrington Wolves face Cup holders St Helens at Victoria Park in their final group stage fixture (KO 12pm). Saints made history last season when they became the first women’s team to lift the Challenge Cup trophy at Wembley Stadium and could make it four in a row should they be successful once again this year.  

In Group Four, Leeds Rhinos host Huddersfield Giants at West Park Leeds RUFC (KO 12pm). Both teams have been in prolific form, scoring more than 250 points between them in their previous two fixtures. Both defences will have to be on high alert, as they face one another in a West Yorkshire derby. 

It will also be a chance for the two sides to test themselves against one another, ahead of their Women's Super League Round 1 clash later this month.

Elsewhere, there’ll be an all-Northern Women’s Championship tie when Hull KR play Leigh Leopards at Sewell Group Craven Park (KO 2pm), Salford Red Devils take on Barrow Raiders at Salford Stadium (KO 2pm) and Bradford Bulls travel to the capital to face London Broncos (KO 2pm). 

Betfred Women's Challenge Cup Round 3 fixtures:

Barrow Raiders v Wigan Warriors

York Valkyrie v Featherstone Rovers

Warrington Wolves v St Helens

Leeds Rhinos v Huddersfield Giants

Hull KR v Leigh Leopards

Salford Red Devils v Barrow Raiders

Bradford Bulls v London Broncos

All Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup fixtures can be found here, with the quarter finals due to be played on 13/14 April – the draw having already been determined on BBC radio earlier this year. 

Winner of Group 1 v Runners up of Group 1 

Winner of Group 2 v Runners up of Group 2 

Winner of Group 3 v Runners up of Group 4 

Winner of Group 4 v Runners up of Group 3 

The Betfred Women's Challenge Cup Final (KO 11.45am) will once again be part of a Finals Day triple-header at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8 June, alongside the final of the Betfred Men’s Challenge Cup (KO 3pm) and the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final (KO 5.45pm). Plus, there will be the traditional Year 7 Boys’ Champion Schools Final at 10am. Tickets are available online now from only £20 Adults and £10 Under 16s, with family packages also available. 

Photo Credit: Leeds Rhinos