Cardiff Demons celebrate victory of Super League opposition Warrington Wolves in the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup

Read the Round 1 Round Up of the Betfred Women's Challenge Cup...

Cardiff Demons are one step closer to another Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup quarter-final appearance following their 42-14 victory over Super League’ Warrington Wolves in the opening round of the competition this weekend. 

The Welsh side were the strongest from the start and opened the scoring through fullback Leanne Burnell after just six minutes, with Amberley Ruck adding the conversion. 

The hosts immediately hit back through Sydney Alderman-Smith five minutes later to reduce the deficit, but they struggled throughout the rest of the opening half.

Instead, it was Cardiff who pushed on with a Zoe Heeley hat-trick and a single score from Lora Roberts seeing the Demons go into the break 24-4 up. 

Cardiff picked up where they left off in the second half with Olivia Williams and Charlie Mundy both crossing the whitewash. 

Nicole Barnett pulled one back for Warrington on 55 minutes, but they could not get themselves back into the contest and Frances Layton scored a brace, the first coming on the hour mark and the second with four minutes remaining, to put the visitors out of sight. 

Warrington now face the prospect of having to beat four-time champions St Helens on Saturday if they are to progress out of the group stage of the competition. 

York Valkyrie got off to a strong start beating Huddersfield Giants 56-0 in their group game at Laund Hill. 

The Valkyrie scored 11 tries, including a hat-trick from Eboni Partington and a brace each for Jazz Rampton and Tamzin Renouf, while keeping a clean sheet against their Super League rivals. 

There were also tries for Ellie Williamson on her debut, and captain, Sinead Peach on her return to the side after a season out while she was pregnant.  

New signing Williamson was involved in much of what York produced, but it was star winger Partington who led the way with a well taken hat-trick.

A win next week against Featherstone Rovers will see York progress through to the knock out stages of the competition.

Wigan Warriors scored eight unanswered tries in the first half against Barrow Raiders and their dominance continued in the second, scoring seven more tries in the second 40 to wrap up a convincing and impressive 84-0 win their first outing of 2025. 

An electric start to the tie saw the Warriors score twice inside six minutes through Tiana Power and Georgia Wilson and this set the tone for the afternoon with the Warriors continuing an 80-minute masterclass against their Super League rivals.

Eight different names crossed the whitewash with Jenna Foubister scoring 34 points in an outstanding display at Robin Park Arena. 

Leeds Rhinos kicked their campaign off with a strong 46-4 performance over Leigh Leopards AMT Headingley. 

Seven different try scorers crossed for the Rhinos, including new signing Mel Howard and Sophie Nuttall, who returned from a year-long injury layoff. Shannon Lacey and Elle Frain also returned to the side after lengthy periods on the sidelines. 

The Rhinos started quick, crossing after just four minutes. Nuttall, who missed the 2024 season due to injury, wasted no time in making her presence felt. Spreading the ball left, Leeds were too fast for the Leigh defence and the winger dived over.  

England international Keara Bennett then scored from hooker, that was before Lucy Murray added her first of the game, receiving a short ball from Mel Howard before crashing over. 

As the game continued Murray added another try to her name with Howard scoring a brace on her debut and Evie Cousins, Ella Donnelly and Ruby Walker also on the scoresheet.  

 

Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Round 1 results & remaining Group Stage fixtures:

Group A 

Sunday 6 April 

Warrington Wolves 14 Cardiff Demons 42  

Saturday 12 April 

St Helens v Warrington Wolves (KO 3.30pm, Totally Wicked Stadium) 

Saturday 19 April 

Cardiff Demons v St Helens (KO 2.30pm, Cardiff University) 

 

Group B 

Sunday 6 April

Huddersfield Giants 0 York Valkyrie 56 

Sunday 13 April 

York Valkyrie v Featherstone Rovers (KO 12pm, LNER Community Stadium) 

Friday 18 April 

Featherstone Rovers v Huddersfield Giants (KO 8pm, Millenium Stadium)

 

Group C 

Saturday 5 April 

Leeds Rhinos v Leigh Leopards (KO 1pm, AMT Headingley) 

Saturday 12 April

Sheffield Eagles v Leeds Rhinos (12.30pm, Olympic Park Legacy Stadium)

Sunday 20 April

Leigh Leopards v Sheffield Eagles (KO 1pm, Leigh Sports Village)

 

Group D

Sunday 6 April

Wigan Warriors 84 Barrow Raiders 0 

Sunday 13 April

London Broncos v Wigan Warriors (KO 2pm, Chiswick Rugby Club)

Sunday 20 April

Barrow Raiders v London Broncos (KO 12pm, Craven Park) 

 

The Betfred Women's Challenge Cup is part of a Finals Day triple-header at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 7 June, alongside the finals of the Men's 2025 Betfred Challenge Cup Final and AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final. Plus, there will be the traditional Year 7 Boys’ Champion Schools Final. Tickets are on sale now!