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MATCH REPORT |
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MATCH REPORT : St.Helens Women were victorious over Leeds Rhinos Women in the Betfred Women's Challenge Cup Semi-Final to book their place in the Final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, 30th May 2026. The Saints started well with a strong defence to force an early Leeds knock-on in the first minute. From that, Zoe Harris placed a smart kick behind the Rhinos and under the sticks; her halfback partner, Faye Gaskin, claimed grounding the ball correctly, but a video review ruled it out. Being the toughest match either side had faced so far in the early season, St.Helens and Leeds matched each other for most of the contest in physicality. Leeds’ first big chance of the match came ten minutes in, but Rebecca Rotheram and Caitlin Casey held up a player to prevent the opening points. A few sets later, Mel Howard kicked an awkward bouncing ball by the sidelines, which Burke needed to clean up, and she did so very well, staying out of touch, evading chasing Rhinos, and then powering into the middle. The breakthrough finally came 17 minutes in, thanks to Erin McDonald. Strong carries pushed Leeds onto their own try-line, and Erin took her carry route one and over the line. Faye Gaskin kicked the first of her conversions to make it 6-0. Leeds sought to strike back, and a knock-on from the restarting kick-off gifted them a golden chance to attack. Shaping up on their right edge, the Rhinos passed it out to Ruby Enright, who went for the dive in the corner. However, Rachael Woosey shoved her into touch. Howard’s kicking game continued to impress, with a huge cross-field kick; the Rhinos believed they had scored with Liv Whitehead catching and grounding the ball. A Video Referee check ruled it out. Vicky Whitfield, off the bench, was proving to be a handful, regaining control of the flow of the game. With Leeds back by their own try-line, Gaskin kicked a grubber into the in-goal, which Zoe Harris tracked and grounded to get our second score. Faye added the extra two points for a 12-0 lead. The physicality kept ramping up as the half-time break approached. Jodie Cunningham was tip-tackled, and Amy Hardcastle also took Ruby Enright into touch with a solid collision by the wing. The Rhinos again began the second half with a knock-on, and the Red V would make the error pay. Gaskin, from around 10m out, looked for a pass but then backed herself, evading several Rhinos and then reaching out to score a try, which she would then convert. 18-0, just four minutes into the second forty. Rudge showcased her experience in big games with strong carries, which would turn the pressure back around from defence into our attacks. Emily got her just reward on the 50-minute mark, running a classic back-row line from close range, but she needed to work through defenders to ground the ball one-handed. Gaskin kicked her fourth conversion of the day, 24-0. The Rhinos wrestled back some real control in the fixture. Connie Boyd was the beneficiary of a late offload close to the try-line, and despite St.Helens hands around her and the ball, a Video Referee referral judged it as a try. Howard kicked the extra two points, 24-6. Leeds were looking to make it back-to-back scores, but the Saints turned them away on each edge, Woosey with the pick of the bunch with another strong hit. The Rhinos put Saints under siege by the try-line; it took ten minutes for them to get any further points. Ruby Enright finished in the corner, 24-10, the kick was not added. Leeds were fired up after their second try. Mottershead, taking a carry out from our red zone, had the ball stripped legally. That led to Liv Whitehead getting a try for Leeds in the corner. Howard missed the kick, so it was a ten-point margin in St. Helens’ favour with around six minutes left to play. Saints needed to keep their cool, but Leeds’ efforts were proving too fiery with three back-to-back penalties turning the pressure back onto their own line. In the final two minutes, McDonald grabbed her second try of the game, similarly to her first, a robust carry close to the line. Gaskin made it five successful conversion attempts and finished off the game 30-14. St.Helens Women earned their place in a sixth successive Women’s Challenge Cup Final, and booked their place for the fourth year in a row at Wembley. Saints team: Rebecca Rotheram, Leah Burke, Amy Hardcastle, Rachael Woosey, Dani McGifford, Zoe Harris, Faye Gaskin, Shona Hoyle-Holdsworth, Caitlin Casey, Erin McDonald, Paige Travis, Emily Rudge, and Jodie Cunningham Interchanges: Vicky Whitfield, Katie Mottershead, Luci McColm, and Alyx Bridge 18th player: Hollie Bawden Tries: McDonald (17, 78), Harris (27), Gaskin (43), Rudge (50) Conversions: Gaskin 5/5 Rhinos team: Ebony Stead, Liv Whitehead, Nicole Kennedy, Connine Boyd, Ruby Enright, Ruby Walker, Mel Howard, Shannon Brown, Ruby Bruce, Kaiya Glynn, Lucy Murray, Lacey Owen and Ella Donnelly Interchanges: Keara Bennett, Grace Short, Lois Naidole and Jess Sharp 18th player: Tally Bryer Tries: Boyd (53), Enright (67), Liv Whitehead (72) Conversions: Howard 1/3 Thanks to the Saints Media team for their excellent report. |
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