The RFL Women's Championship[1] is the second tier of women's rugby in the British rugby league system sitting below the RFL Women's Super League.
| RFL Women's Championship seasons 2017–2023 | |
|---|---|
The competition was founded in 2017, and was a single leagued division with all teams based in Northern England due to geographic distribution of the sport's popularity. However, starting in 2024, in response to the increase in popularity of women's rugby league outside of Northern England, the Championship was expanded to include a Midlands and South group for teams elsewhere in the county, allowing a route to the Super League for all teams.[2][3][4][5]
The following article summarises the results of the competition before its 2024 expansion:
Key
edit- Key
Promoted to next season's Super League
Transfer to the 2024 Northern Championship
(C) Champions
2017 season
editThe 2017 season did not begin until 23 July[8] and as a result of this the teams only played each other once during the competition. Stanningley went unbeaten throughout the 2017 season to finish top of the Championship[9] and defeated Oulton Raidettes 28–10 in the Grand Final.[10]
| POS | CLUB | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | DIFF | PTS |
| 1 | Stanningley (C) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 232 | 60 | 172 | 12 |
| 2 | Oulton Raidettes | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 186 | 76 | 110 | 9 |
| 3 | Wigan St Patricks | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 190 | 76 | 114 | 8 |
| 4 | Leigh Miners Rangers | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 120 | 98 | 22 | 6 |
| 5 | Wakefield Trinity | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 110 | 114 | -4 | 5 |
| 6 | Barrow | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 34 | 282 | -248 | 2 |
| 7 | Batley Bulldogs | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 12 | 178 | -166 | 0 |
2017 play-offs
edit| Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
| 1 | Stanningley | 60 | |||||||
| 4 | Leigh Miners Rangers | 4 | |||||||
| Stanningley | 28 | ||||||||
| Oulton Raidettes | 10 | ||||||||
| 2 | Oulton Raidettes | 12 | |||||||
| 3 | Wigan St Patricks | 10 | |||||||
2018 season
editStanningley repeated their success in 2018 with a 20–12 win over Leigh Miners Rangers.[12] Wakefield Trinity, who finished top of the Championship in 2018, joined the Super League in 2019.[13]
| POS | CLUB | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | DIFF | PTS |
| 1 | Stanningley (C) | 15 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 438 | 168 | 270 | 24 |
| 2 | Wakefield Trinity | 14 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 390 | 126 | 264 | 22 |
| 3 | Oulton Raidettes | 14 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 304 | 265 | 39 | 17 |
| 4 | Leigh Miners Rangers | 15 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 384 | 236 | 148 | 15 |
| 5 | Hull FC | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 211 | 252 | -41 | 14 |
| 6 | Barrow | 14 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 255 | 373 | -118 | 11 |
| 7 | Widnes Vikings | 14 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 216 | 420 | -204 | 8 |
| 8 | Wigan St Patricks | 14 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 74 | 432 | -358 | -4 |
| |||||||||
2018 play-offs
edit| Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
| 1 | Wakefield Trinity | 4 | |||||||
| 4 | Leigh Miners Rangers | 8 | |||||||
| Stanningley | 20 | ||||||||
| Leigh Miners Rangers | 12 | ||||||||
| 2 | Stanningley | 38 | |||||||
| Hull F.C. | 12 | ||||||||
2019 season
editWarrington Wolves defeated Barrow Island 40–4 in the Grand Final.[17] Warrington and Huddersfield Giants were accepted into the Super League.[18]
| POS | CLUB | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | DIFF | PTS |
| 1 | Warrington Wolves (C) | 16 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 648 | 92 | 556 | 30 |
| 2 | Barrow | 16 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 325 | 246 | 79 | 25 |
| 3 | Stanningley | 15 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 330 | 190 | 140 | 19 |
| 4 | Huddersfield Giants | 15 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 224 | 328 | -104 | 12 |
| 5 | Widnes Vikings | 14 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 114 | 259 | -145 | 11 |
| 6 | Leigh Miners Rangers Ladies | 14 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 166 | 280 | -114 | 8 |
| 7 | Oulton Raidettes | 14 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 114 | 358 | -244 | 7 |
| 8 | Hull FC | 14 | 2 | 11 | 1 | 160 | 328 | -168 | 3 |
| |||||||||
2019 play-offs
edit| Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
| 1 | Warrington Wolves | 36 | |||||||
| 4 | Huddersfield Giants | 4 | |||||||
| Warrington Wolves | 40 | ||||||||
| Barrow | 4 | ||||||||
| 2 | Barrow | 14 | |||||||
| 3 | Stanningley | 12 | |||||||
2020 season
editCancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021 season
editLeigh Miners Rangers defeated Barrow Raiders 10–6 in the Grand Final.[20] Barrow and Leigh joined the Super League in 2022.[21]
| POS | CLUB | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | DIFF | DIFF% | WP% | PTS |
| 1 | Leigh Miners Rangers Ladies (C) | 14 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 292 | 116 | 251.72 | 251.72 | 78.57 | 22 |
| 2 | Barrow Raiders Ladies | 14 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 312 | 160 | 195.00 | 195.00 | 67.86 | 19 |
| 3 | Widnes Vikings | 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 220 | 146 | 150.68 | 150.68 | 62.50 | 15 |
| 4 | Stanningley | 13 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 204 | 190 | 107.37 | 107.37 | 50.00 | 13 |
| 5 | Oulton Raidettes | 11 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 128 | 178 | 71.91 | 71.91 | 40.91 | 9 |
| 6 | Hull FC | 10 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 136 | 198 | 68.69 | 68.69 | 30.00 | 6 |
| 7 | Halifax Panthers | 12 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 108 | 412 | 26.21 | 26.21 | 8.33 | 2 |
| 8 | Keighley Cougars | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0 |
2021 play-offs
edit| Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
| 1 | Leigh Miners Rangers | 36 | |||||||
| 4 | Stanningley | 6 | |||||||
| Leigh Miners Rangers | 10 | ||||||||
| Barrow Raiders | 6 | ||||||||
| 2 | Barrow Raiders | 16 | |||||||
| 3 | Widnes Vikings | 6 | |||||||
2022 season
editOulton Raidettes defeated Salford Red Devils 33–14 in the Grand Final.[23] Salford replaced Wakefield Trinity in the 2023 Super League.[24]
| POS | CLUB | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | DIFF | PTS |
| 1 | Salford Red Devils | 15 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 542 | 136 | 406 | 28 |
| 2 | Oulton Raidettes (C) | 14 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 403 | 152 | 251 | 25 |
| 3 | Warrington Wolves Lunas | 15 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 390 | 229 | 161 | 21 |
| 4 | Stanningley | 14 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 334 | 268 | 66 | 12 |
| 5 | Hull KR | 15 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 310 | 410 | -100 | 12 |
| 6 | Dewsbury Moor Ladies | 13 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 256 | 354 | -98 | 8 |
| 7 | Hull FC | 14 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 144 | 416 | -272 | 4 |
| 8 | Widnes Vikings | 14 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 146 | 560 | -414 | 4 |
2023 season
editHull KR defeated Oulton Raidettes 30–16 in the Grand Final.[25]
| POS | CLUB | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | DIFF | PTS |
| 1 | Hull KR (C) | 20 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 682 | 202 | 480 | 36 |
| 2 | Oulton Raidettes | 20 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 604 | 244 | 360 | 31 |
| 3 | Dewsbury Moor Ladies | 19 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 512 | 226 | 286 | 30 |
| 4 | Stanningley | 19 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 540 | 244 | 296 | 26 |
| 5 | Sheffield Eagles | 18 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 512 | 298 | 214 | 22 |
| 6 | Hull FC | 18 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 298 | 362 | -64 | 11 |
| 7 | Widnes Vikings | 18 | 4 | 12 | 2 | 222 | 468 | -246 | 8 |
| 8 | Swinton Lionesses | 18 | 4 | 13 | 1 | 222 | 550 | -328 | 7 |
| 9 | Wakefield Trinity | 18 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 68 | 932 | -864 | -1 |
| 10 | Warrington Wolves Lunas | 18 | 3 | 15 | 0 | 242 | 376 | -134 | -3 |
| |||||||||
Notes
edit- ^ League tables on the RFL "Match Centre" include some results from play-off matches. In 2018, for example the table includes the Grand Final (but not semi-finals) meaning Wakefield appear below Stanningley though they finished the regular season above them on points difference.[7]
- ^ It was initially reported that Stanningley would play Oulton Raidettes in the semi-final. It was later confirmed that Stanningley would play Hull F.C.[15][16]
References
edit- ^ "New era for Tier Two of Women's Rugby League". www.rugby-league.com. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ Gordon, James (31 January 2023). "RFL reveal exciting national pyramid for growing women's game". loverugbyleague.com. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ Cook, Sam (January 31, 2023). "Women's rugby league set for exciting changes with reshuffle to create pyramid for 2024". Rugby League News.
- ^ Ibbetson, Stephen (February 5, 2023). "RFL take national view in restructure of women's leagues from 2024".
- ^ Walker, Callum (January 31, 2023). "RFL reveals groundbreaking new structure for Women's Super League and lower tiers".
- ^ "Match Centre".
- ^ "Preview | Women's Championship Grand Final". www.rugby-league.com. 11 October 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ "Tigers and Bulls win as Women's RL Super League gets underway". 4 The Love Of Sport. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "Stanningley thwart Trinity's play off hopes". 4 The Love of Sport. 26 September 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
- ^ a b "HIGHLIGHTS | Stanningley v Oulton Raidettes". www.rugby-league.com. 8 October 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ "Women's Rugby League round up 1 October". 4 The Love of Sport. 1 October 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Highlights | Stanningley win Women's Championship Grand Final". www.rugby-league.com. 14 October 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ "Wakefield Trinity join 2019 Women's Super League". www.rugby-league.com. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ "Rhinos and Warriors reach Women's Super League Grand Final". www.rugby-league.com. 8 October 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ "Leeds Rhinos win League Leaders' Shield as semi-finals confirmed". www.rugby-league.com. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ "Women's Super League semi-final to be shown live on Our League". www.rugby-league.com. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Warrington and Keighley triumph on Women's Finals Day". www.rugby-league.com. 12 October 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ "Giants and Wolves to join Betfred Women's Super League in 2020". www.rugby-league.com. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ "Another late Leeds show sets up Challenge Cup Final rematch". RFL. 6 October 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Leigh Miners win Women's Championship Grand Final". www.rugby-league.com. 4 October 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ "Betfred Women's Super League to expand again in 2022". www.rugby-league.com. 2 November 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ "Women's Rugby League Results". 4 The Love Of Sport. 27 September 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ "Grand Final Success for Sheffield Eagles and Oulton Raidettes". www.rugby-league.com. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ "Salford Red Devils and Leigh Leopards to join BWSL in 2023". www.rugby-league.com. 23 October 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ "Hull KR star Carla Nolan reflects on historic Women's treble and Super League aim". Hull Daily Mail. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2024.