2018 Women's Challenge Cup

The 2018 RFL Women's Challenge Cup was an English rugby league knockout tournament competed for by 21 teams during the summer of 2018. The competition was won by Leeds Rhinos who beat Castleford Tigers 20–14 in the final at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on 4 August 2018.[1]

2018 Women's Challenge Cup
Duration5 rounds
Number of teams21
Broadcast partnersProper Sport
BBC Sport
WinnersLeeds Rhinos
Runners-upCastleford Tigers
Biggest home winSt Helens 78–0 Hull FC
Biggest away winHull Wyke 0–84 Army RL

Preliminary round

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The preliminary round ties were played in early May.

Home Score Away
Dewsbury Celtic 6–54 Army RL
East Leeds 14–32 Stanningley
Hull F.C. 26–22 Oulton Raidettes
Whitley Bay Barbarians 4–54 Leigh Miners Rangers
Wigan St Patricks 0–24 Widnes Vikings
Source:[2]

First round

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The first round ties were all played on 3 June.[3] The shock result of the round was the home defeat of the cup holders, Bradford Bulls, by newly formed team Castleford Tigers.[4]

Home Score Away
Barrow 62–10 Brighouse Rangers
Bradford Bulls 14–32 Castleford Tigers
Featherstone Rovers 38–12 Stanningley
Hull Wyke 0–84 Army RL
Leeds Rhinos 58–0 Wakefield Trinity
Leigh Miners Rovers 6–72 Wigan Warriors
St Helens 78–0 Hull F.C.
York City Knights 68–0 Widnes Vikings
Source:[4]

Quarter-finals

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The draw for the quarter-finals of the Cup were made on 6 June.[5] Ties were played on 1 July.

Home Score Away
Barrow 6–62 York City Knights
Castleford Tigers 30–16 St Helens
Featherstone Rovers 18–44 Wigan Warriors
Leeds Rhinos 46–10 Army RL
Source:[6]

Semi-finals

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The draw for the semi-finals was made on 3 July and ties were played 15 July.[7]

Home Score Away Venue
Wigan Warriors 8–26 Leeds Rhinos Robin Park Arena
Castleford Tigers 48–12 York City Knights Mend-a-hose Jungle
Source:[8]

Final

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The final was played as a doubleheader at Warrington Wolves' Halliwell Jones stadium on Saturday 4 August 2018 along with the final of the challenge shield. In conjunction with broadcasters Proper Sport and BBC Sport the games were streamed live.[9]

Teams:[1]
Castleford Tigers:
Backs: Tara-Jane Stanley, Maisie Burton, Courtney Pointon, Lacey Owen, Kelsey Gentles, Georgie Hetherington, Olivia Grace, Lucy Eastwood
Forwards: Lucy Eastwood, Sinead Peach, Jasmine Rowley, Katie Hepworth (c), Beth Weir, Georgia Roche
Interchanges: Jasmine Cudjoe, Tamzin Renouf, Grace Field, Emma Lumley, Marie Colley, Katie Tordoff, Shannelle Mannion

Leeds Rhinos:
Backs: Charlotte Booth, Suze Hill, Sophie Nuttall, Sophie Robinson, Caitlin Beevers, Hanna Butcher, Courtney Hill
Forwards: Amy Johnson, Lois Forsell (c), Danielle Anderson, Aimee Staveley, Manina Spurr, Shannon Lacy
Interchanges: Frankie Townend, Madison Laverick, Chloe Kerrigan, Rhiannon Marshall, Ellie Oldroyd

Challenge Shield

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The eight losing teams in the second round entered into a secondary competition, the Challenge Shield.[5] The Shield was won by Bradford Bulls who beat Stanningley 44–16.

Quarter-finals

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Ties were played on 1 July.

Home Score Away
Brighouse Rangers 24–0[a] Hull Wyke
Hull F.C. 0–30 Wakefield Trinity
Stanningley 22–18 Leigh Miners Rangers
Widnes Vikings 0–24[b] Bradford Bulls
Source:[11]
  1. ^ Awarded score as Hull Wyke withdrew from the competition before the match was played.
  2. ^ Awarded score as Widnes withdrew from the competition before the match was played.[10]

Semi-finals

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The draw was made on 3 July and the matches played on 15 July.[7]

Home Score Away
Stanningley 66–4 Brighouse Rangers
Wakefield Trinity 0–58 Bradford Bulls
Source:[8]

Final

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4 August 2018
1:00 pm BST
Bradford Bulls 44 – 16 Stanningley
Tries:
Leah Jones
Shona Hoyle
Reegan Walker (2)
Becky Conlon
Amy Hardcastle (2)
Jess Courtman
Goals:
Leah Jones (6/8)
report
Tries:
Hayley Fielding
Elychia Watson
Goals:
Chloe Wainwright-Morley (4/4)
Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington
Attendance: 1,022
Referee: Neil Pascall

Teams:[12]
Bradford Bulls:
Backs: Leah Jones, Adara Telemacque, Savannah Andrade, Jess Courtman, Becky Conlon, Danielle Bose, Amy Boardman
Forwards: Lauren Hickey, Chrissi Nettleton, Vicky Rhodes, Shona Hoyle, Heather McDonald, Reegan Walker
Interchanges: Hayley Hields, Memphis Jubb, Stacey Greenwood, Stacey Wilson, Amy Hardcastle, Kirsty Maroney (c), Beth Sutcliffe

Stanningley:
Backs: Hayley Fielding, Allana Walker, Sophie Bickerdyke, Elychia Watson, Lauren Waller, Chloe Wainwright-Morley, Laura Dyson
Forwards: Rachael Barker, Grace Ramsden, Lyndsey Cunnett, Jodie Davies (c), Olivia Wood, Demi Fisher
Interchanges: Markelle Morgan, Louise Travers, Loren Gregory, Leanne May

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Rhinos fightback for the Cup". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3,133. 6 August 2018. p. 14.
  2. ^ "Women's Rugby League - Challenge Cup". Rugby Football League. 12 May 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  3. ^ "Wigan to make Women's Challenge Cup bow against Leigh". Rugby-League.com. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  4. ^ a b Angela Powers (6 June 2018). "Up for the Cup - Highlights". Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Challenge Cup: Quarter-final draw". 6 June 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  6. ^ "Challenge Cup: Leeds Rhinos Women to face old foe; Castleford Tigresses meet York". Yorkshire Evening Post. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Warriors to host Rhinos in Women's Challenge Cup semi-final". Rugby Football League. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Rhinos on hunt for Silverware". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3,130. 16 July 2018. p. 30.
  9. ^ "Women's Challenge Cup Final and Challenge Shield to be live streamed". Rugby Football League. 3 August 2018. Archived from the original on 16 August 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  10. ^ "Bulls Women eye Challenge Shield Final spot". 13 July 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  11. ^ "Women and Girls rugby league". Rugby Football League. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  12. ^ "Bulls surge to late Shield win". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3,133. 6 August 2018. p. 14.