2023 Women's Challenge Cup final explained

Year:2023
Women's Challenge Cup Final
Home: Leeds Rhinos
Away: St Helens
Home Abbr: LEE
Away Abbr: ST H
Home Half1:4
Home Half2:4
Home Total:8
Away Half1:16
Away Half2:6
Away Total:22
Date:12 August 2023, 12:00
Location:London, United Kingdom
Mom Title:Player of the Match
Mom:Jodie Cunningham (St Helens)
Anthem Title:God Save The King and Abide with Me
Anthem:Lizzie Jones[1]
Referee:James Vella
Attendance:8,338[2]
Stadium:Wembley Stadium
Network:BBC Two
Commentators:Sharon Shortle
Commentators2:Andrea Dobson
Commentators3:Kyle Amor
Tournaments:Finals
Last:2022
Next:2024

The 2023 Women's Challenge Cup Final was the 11th final of the Rugby Football League's Women's Challenge Cup knock-out competition. The 2023 final marked the first time the final of the Women's Challenge Cup had been played at Wembley. The final was a repeat of the 2022 final with defending champions St Helens taking on last season's runners-up Leeds Rhinos.[3] [4]

The cup was won by St Helens, who won their third consecutive cup final, defeating Leeds Rhinos 22–8. St Helens captain, Jodie Cunningham was named player of the match.

For the first time in its history, both the women's and men's final took place at Wembley Stadium on the same day – 12 August 2023.[5] [6]

Background

St Helens are two times defending champions of the Challenge Cup having won in 2021 and 2022. They also won the tournament four times in a row between 2013 and 2016. Upon gaining their place in the final St Helens were second in Super League behind their semi-final opponents York Valkyrie.

Leeds Rhinos entered the final aiming to avenge their 2022 defeat to St Helens. They last won the competition in 2019 retaining it after their 2018 victory. Upon qualification Leeds were in third place in Super League, one place and one point behind St Helens.

Route to the final

St Helens

RoundOppositionVenueScore
Group Stage London BroncosThe Rock76–0
Castleford TigersWheldon Road106–0
Warrington WolvesTotally Wicked Stadium36–4
Quarter-final Warrington WolvesTotally Wicked Stadium36–0
Semi-final York ValkyrieHalliwell Jones Stadium17–16

Leeds Rhinos

RoundOppositionVenueScore
Group Stage Bradford BullsWeetwood Sports Park72–0
Oulton Raidettescolspan="2"
Huddersfield GiantsLaund Hill54–0
Quarter-final Leigh LeopardsHeadingley54–0
Semi-final Wigan WarriorsHeadingley16–4

Source:

Match details

Post match

Following both the women's and men's challenge cup final, Wembley will host the Year 7 boys schools' final and the final of the 2023 1895 Cup.[7] The 1895 Cup Final saw Halifax Panthers beat Batley Bulldogs 12–10.[8] The men's final saw Leigh Leopards beat Hull KR 17–16.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wife of former rugby league player to sing Abide With Me. Cam. Pattison. 11 August 2023. Rugby League News. 12 August 2023.
  2. Web site: Challenge Cup 2023 final attendance revealed with motorway impacting supporters; Women’s game enjoys record crowd . LoveRugbyLeague . 12 August 2023 . 12 August 2023.
  3. Web site: Challenge Cup final 2023: Talking points for rugby league's historic women's and men's Wembley showpiece. Sky Sports. 12 August 2023.
  4. Web site: Wembley Challenge Cup final another giant step for women’s rugby league. Aaron. Bower. 9 August 2023. 12 August 2023. The Guardian.
  5. News: Challenge Cup final to return to Wembley in 2023 . BBC Sport .
  6. Web site: Wembley to host Challenge Cup final double-header in 2023. August 12, 2022. LoveRugbyLeague.
  7. Web site: 1895 Cup: The eight clubs that can move within 80 minutes of Wembley. April 20, 2023. LoveRugbyLeague.
  8. News: 2023-08-11 . Listen: 1895 Cup final - Batley Bulldogs v Halifax Panthers . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2023-08-21.
  9. Web site: 2023-08-12 . Leigh beat Hull KR in epic Challenge Cup final . 2023-08-21 . BBC Sport . en-GB.