Sewell Group Craven Park is the place to be this Sunday (28 July), when Leeds Rhinos will defend the Women’s Nines title they won at Salford last year – and if you can’t be there in person then you can catch all the action live on RFL’s YouTube channel from 10.45am.
Six teams are heading to Hull for Finals Day, including Wigan Warriors who lost out 21-8 to the Rhinos in a memorable encounter at Salford Community Stadium last July. The Warriors, like Cardiff Demons, St Helens and York Valkyrie, came through the qualifiers at Warrington’s Victoria Park in May, while the Rhinos are one of two wildcard entries alongside Huddersfield Giants.
Those six sides will compete in two groups of three, with the top two from each group going into the semi-finals and the bottom sides eliminated. Holders Leeds Rhinos are in Group A with Cardiff Demons and St Helens, while Group B features Huddersfield Giants, Wigan Warriors and York Valkyrie, winners of the inaugural Women’s Nines in 2022.
Cardiff Demons face arguably the sternest challenge, having been drawn in the same group as Leeds Rhinos and St Helens, who defeated the Rhinos 11-6 in the qualifiers to secure their Finals Day place. But the Demons demonstrated their own strength during the qualifiers, winning all three of their games – including impressive wins against Betfred Women’s Super League sides Barrow Raiders and Featherstone Rovers.
Cardiff Demons head coach is relishing the challenge: “It’s a tough group, but we gave Leeds and Saints a good run for their money in last year’s finals and we’re aiming to be competitive in both games. There’s not much expectation on us, but I think we can make the semis. The girls play a lot of sevens rugby, so this is a format that suits our off the cuff style.
“We beat Barrow, Featherstone and Salford in the Challenge Cup before coming up against a rapidly improving Wigan side under Denis Betts, so if anything we’ve already overachieved compared to where people thought we would be.
“We don’t get challenged as much as this in our own comp, so every year we’re aiming to bridge that gap and really compete at this level. The Demons are the stepping stone from community game to international squad, and fans on Sunday should look out for the likes of Leanne Burnell, Meg Whitaker and Zoe Healey, who’s really got soe legs.”
Betfred Women's Super League General Manager Thomas Brindle adds: “We’re really excited to bring the Women’s Nines Finals Day to Hull this year – it promises to be a fantastic occasion.
“We’ve seen in previous years the level of skill that the Nines format showcases and how entertaining it can be, so I’d encourage all fans to come along and enjoy the day.”
The action gets underway at Sewell Group Craven Park at 10.45am, with admission only £6 adults and £4 children.
Fixtures:
10.45am: York Valkyrie v Huddersfield Giants
11.10am: Leeds Rhinos v St Helens
11.35am: Wigan Warriors v York Valkyrie
12pm: Cardiff Demons v Leeds Rhinos
12.25pm: Huddersfield Giants v Wigan Warriors
12.50pm: St Helens v Cardiff Demons
1.45pm: First semi-final
2.10pm: Second semi-final
2.50pm: Women’s Nines Final
Squads will consist of up to 15 players, with unlimited interchanges allowed from a six-strong bench. Golden point extra time will be played for elimination matches only.
