Warriors win first Women’s Challenge Cup at Wembley

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Women beat St.Helens Women at Wembley Stadium in the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final.
• The Warriors scored seven converted tries to lift the trophy for the first time.
• FT | St.Helens Women 6-42 Wigan Warriors Women.

Wigan Warriors Women beat st.Helens Women at Wembley Stadium to lift a historic first Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup.

An emphatic showing at Wembley saw Megan Williams, Mary Coleman and Emily Veivers score first half tries before Isabel Rowe, Eva Hunter, Grace Banks and Anna Davies add further tries in a historic victory.

Banks received the Player of the Match award as the Warriors ended St Helens competition winning run on their first appearance at Wembley Stadium.

Report

The Warriors started with intent as strong kick chases from Molly Jones and Georgia Wilson allowed Wigan to start their attacking sets inside the St Helens half. Jones almost opened the scoring on seven minutes with a powerful run on the last tackle, but centre was stopped just short.

The scoring was opened in the next attack when the Warriors capitalised on Dani McGifford’s handling error to start a set 40m out. After strong carries through the middle, Rowe’s short pass to Williams sent the loose forward over between the sticks with the extras then added for a 6-0 lead.

The Warriors were forced to defend back-to-back St Helens attacks on their try line, however, excellent defensive pressure first kept Beri Salihi out before Amy Hardcastle knocked forwards to end the attack on the opposite side.

Shortly after Anna Davies was stopped just short on the right side, the Warriors extended their lead mid-way through the half when Jones burst through the line 30m out before passing inside to Coleman, who grounded unopposed between the sticks with Rowe kicking the additional points.

Wigan continued to apply pressure to the St Helens defence, who were penalised for a high tackle on Shaniah Power. Wigan tapped from the penalty as a driving run from Veivers on the first produced the third try of the game with Rowe kicking the extras for an 18-0 lead after 33 minutes.

Having maintained their 18-0 lead at the break, the Warriors restarted strongly as carries from Grace Banks and Coleman created strong field position. As the ball found Rowe, the teenager dummied through a gap in the St Helens defence to score before kicking Wigan into a 24-0 lead.

St Helens reduced the points difference five minutes later when Katie Mottershead picked up and crashed from close range with Faye Gaskin kicking the extras from in front of the posts.

The Warriors added a fifth try before the hour when a short pass to Hunter saw the second-rower break the tackle before accelerating clear from 35m to dive over behind the sticks. Rowe kicked the two points to give Wigan a 30-6 advantage.

A relentless defensive performance from the Warriors forced Harris into knocking forwards as Banks picked up the loose ball to burst through from inside her own half to dive over between the sticks. Rowe maintained her perfect record from the tee to make the score 36-6 with eight minutes remaining.

The Warriors wrapped up the win with a seventh try before the end when excellent work from Derbyshire on the left side saw the winger stopped just short, however, Wigan worked the ball to the opposite side where Wilson’s pass sent Davies over in the corner. Rowe nailed the touchline kick as the Warriors saw out the remaining minutes to win 42-6.

Gallery:

St.Helens: Beri Salihi, Phoebe Hook, Luci McColm, Amy Hardcastle, Dani McGifford, Zoe Harris, Faye Gaskin, Darcy Stott, Caitlin Casey, Chantelle Crowl, Shona Hoyle, Emily Rudge, Jodie Cunningham.

Interchange: Vicky Whitfield, Katie Mottershead, Georgia Sutherland, Rachel Woosey.

18th Player: Erin Stott.

Tries: Mottershead (49′)

Goals: Gaskin (1/1).

Wigan Warriors: Grace Banks, Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Molly Jones, Ellise Derbyshire, Jenna Foubister, Isabel Rowe, Mary Coleman, Remi Wilton, Holly Speakman, Eva Hunter, Shaniah Power, Megan Williams.

Interchange: Carys Marsh, Victoria Molyneux, Rachel Thompson, Emily Veivers.

18th Player: Tiana Power.

Tries: Williams (9′), Coleman (20′), Veivers (32′), Rowe (44′), Hunter (59′), Banks (71′), Davies (74′)

Goals: Rowe (7/7).

Referee: Aaron Moore