The Warriors have won their first ever Women's Challenge Cup trophy!
Wigan Warriors Women made history on Saturday, as they lifted the 2025 Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup trophy.
In what was their first ever Women’s Challenge Cup Final, as well as their maiden Wembley appearance, the Warriors put on a stellar showing – confidently beating current cup holders and rivals St Helens, 42-6.
Emerging powerhouses, Wigan, have gone on to establish themselves as genuine contenders in recent seasons, with all their hard work finally coming to fruition on Finals Day.
It was a truly professional performance from Denis Betts’ side, with the Warriors racking up a formidable 18-0 lead in the first half as everything went to script for the Cherry & White.
Their first two tries came from exceptional efforts by the Wigan middles. It took just ten minutes as Megan Williams crashed over in front of the posts to score against her former side.
This was soon followed by a superb piece of play from centre Molly Jones who managed to break away and offload to Mary Coleman who dotted down underneath the sticks.
Their third try of the opening half came courtesy of Emily Veivers, who busted yet another tackle and evaded her defenders to extend Wigan’s advantage.
It was another easy conversion for heroic halfback Izzy Rowe.
The talented Warriors continued with what they'd started in the second stanza as Rowe produced some stunning show and go – her individual effort putting the Wembley debutants 24-0 up.
Saints struggled to cope with how relentless and fast-paced the Warriors outfit were, although did hit back through Katie Mottershead, who found space in the line to quickly touch down.
This one would be their only score of the 2025 Women’s Final, however.
It was to be Wigan’s day in the capital, with further tries coming from Eva Hunter with a breakaway score, Player of the Match Grace Banks who brought out a beautiful piece of play, and Anna Davies over in the corner.
Throughout, a dangerous Wigan dominated – expansive in attack and aggressive in defence – ending St Helens' run of four straight Challenge Cups and ensuring that there would be a new name on the trophy in 2025.
Led by Betts, who won seven Challenge Cups with Wigan as a player, this could be a real statement of intent for what’s to come from Wigan Warriors Women…
It is also his first piece of silverware as a coach.
2025 Betfred Women's Challenge Cup Final:
Half-time: St Helens 0 Wigan Warriors 18
Full-time: St Helens 6 Wigan Warriors 42
St Helens Women: 1. Beri Salihi, 2. Phoebe Hook, 3. Luci McColm, 4. Amy Hardcastle, 25. Dani McGifford, 6. Zoe Harris, 7. Faye Gaskin, 16. Darcy Stott, 10. Channy Crowl, 11. Shona Hoyle, 12. Emily Rudge, 13. Jodie Cunningham. Subs: 8. Vicky Whitfield, 9. Katie Mottershead, 15. Georgia Sutherland, 18. Rachel Woosey. 18th Player: Erin Stott
Tries: Mottershead
Goals: Gaskin (1/1)
Wigan Warriors Women: 1. Grace Banks, 2. Anna Davies, 3. Georgia Wilson, 4. Molly Jones, 5. Ellise Derbyshire, 6. Jenna Foubister, 7, Isabel Rowe, 8. Mary Coleman, 9. Remi Wilton, 20. Holly Speakman, 11. Eva Hunter, 10. Shaniah Power, 13. Megan Williams. Subs: 9. Carys Marsh, 12. Vicky Molyneux, 14. Rachel Thompson, 17. Emily Veivers. 18th Player: Tiana Power
Tries: Williams, Coleman, Veivers, Rowe, Hunter, Banks, Davies
Goals: Rowe (7/7)
