The quarter finals of the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup take place this weekend with eight clubs battling it out as they hope to get one step closer to Wembley Stadium.
St Helens made history last season when they became the first women’s team to lift the Challenge Cup trophy at Wembley – and they could make it four Challenge Cups in a row should they be successful in 2024. They face an in-form Huddersfield Giants on Saturday; the Giants have started their campaign in blistering form having scored 120 points throughout the group stage.
Last year’s runners up, Leeds Rhinos, are another team who have also started strong having equalled their highest ever score in a match during their 92-0 victory over Hull KR in Round 2. Individual records were broken too, as a hat-trick and 13 goals from Ruby Enright saw her break Courtney Winfield-Hill’s record of 36 against York Valkyrie in 2018. The Rhinos face Warrington Wolves at AMT Headingley Stadium.
Reigning Betfred Women’s Super League champions York Valkyrie came agonisingly close to reaching Wembley last year only to be knocked out by a Faye Gaskin drop goal in the last 30 seconds in the semi-finals against Saints. This time round, they have a 100% win record in the group stage and host Featherstone Rovers at home in the quarters.
In Wigan, the Warriors come up against Southern Women’s Championship outfit Cardiff Demons – the Welsh side have qualified for the quarter finals for only the second time in their history this year but have lost out to Wigan in their previous two meetings. Dragons head coach, Ian Newbury, will be hoping his team can make it third time lucky on Saturday, whilst Warriors head coach Denis Betts will be hoping his side can secure a semi-final spot.
Women's Quarter-Final ties to be played 13/14 April:
St Helens v Huddersfield Giants, Saturday 13 April, 12pm, Thatto Heath Crusaders
Leeds Rhinos v Warrington Wolves, Saturday 13 April, 12pm, AMT Headingley Stadium
Wigan Warriors v Cardiff Demons, Saturday 13 April, 2pm, Sutton Park
York Valkyrie v Featherstone Rovers, Sunday 14 April, 12pm, LNER Community Stadium
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.
