Leeds Rhinos Women 0 St Helens Women 22: Familiar tale as Lois Forsell's side succumb to Challenge Cup queens

On a day of high emotion, it was a familiar story for Leeds Rhinos against Women’s Challenge Cup queens St Helens.

The Rhinos were bidding to make it third time lucky but succumbed to a defensive masterclass and a clinical attacking performance in a repeat of last year's inaugural Wembley final.

Saints defended their line with the steel that broke York Valkyrie’s spirit in their semi-final meeting last month and took the chances that came their way.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With all the focus on Leeds in the aftermath of the devastating passing of Rob Burrow, St Helens demonstrated the professionalism that has seen them dominate the competition since 2021.

For the Rhinos, it was another miserable experience after coming up short in the previous two finals against their rivals.

Leeds' effort could not be questioned but they could not build on a positive start.

After observing a minute's silence for Burrow, the Rhinos pulled off a brave play befitting the club legend.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hanna Butcher went short from the kick-off and Caitlin Beevers read the script to claim the ball and give Leeds an early look at the Saints line.

St Helens celebrate Faye Gaskin's opening try. (Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)St Helens celebrate Faye Gaskin's opening try. (Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)
St Helens celebrate Faye Gaskin's opening try. (Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)

Lucy Murray poked her nose through the line at the end of the first set but she was quickly dragged to ground in a sign of things to come.

The Rhinos won the territory battle in the opening quarter yet could find no way through the St Helens rearguard.

Beri Salihi fumbled Caitlin Casey's grubber kick close to her own line but Saints defended such errors and everything else that was thrown their way.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Liv Whitehead spurned a golden opportunity to break the deadlock for Leeds after Salihi failed to deal with another Casey kick, this time from deep.

Rob Burrow's legacy was the focal point of finals day. (Photo: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com)Rob Burrow's legacy was the focal point of finals day. (Photo: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com)
Rob Burrow's legacy was the focal point of finals day. (Photo: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com)

The ball came loose on the St Helens line but the Rhinos winger could not scoop it up to finish.

The momentum shifted after Shona Hoyle invited her old side into Leeds territory for the first time with a late hit.

Saints gleefully accepted the invitation to open the scoring through Faye Gaskin, the half-back stepping off her right foot to finish next to the posts.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Despite their domination, the Rhinos found themselves 6-0 down in the face of a turning tide.

Leeds huddle together during the minute's silence for Rob Burrow. (Photo: Richard Blaxall/SWpix.com)Leeds huddle together during the minute's silence for Rob Burrow. (Photo: Richard Blaxall/SWpix.com)
Leeds huddle together during the minute's silence for Rob Burrow. (Photo: Richard Blaxall/SWpix.com)

St Helens were growing in confidence and took the second chance that came their way.

After getting a fresh set when Jodie Cunningham's pass was touched by Keara Bennett in Leeds territory, Saints shifted the ball out to the right where Phoebe Hook finished in the corner.

Butcher produced a big tackle to deny Emily Rudge and Hoyle escaped a card for a clumsy high tackle on Salihi but there was a sense that the damage had been done.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

St Helens had one hand on the cup five minutes into the second half after taking advantage of errors by Whitehead and Caitlin Beevers in quick succession.

After Beevers dropped Gaskin's kick, Saints moved the ball out to the left edge where Luci McColm finished.

Leeds never allowed their heads to drop and kept fighting, as evidenced by a try-saving tackle by Lucy Murray on Cunningham.

But St Helens finished the stronger team and crowned another memorable Wembley outing with a powerful finish from Chantelle Crowl.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Leeds Rhinos: Enright, Cousins, Hardcastle, Beevers, Whitehead, Butcher, Casey, Field, Bennett, Northrop, Murray, Hoyle, Skyes. Substitutes: Dainton, Donnelly, Hornby, Robinson.

St Helens: Salihi, Hook, Stott, McColm, Burke, Harris, Gaskin, Whitfield, Jones, Crowl, Travis, Rudge, Cunningham. Substitutes: Williams, Stott, Mottershead, Sutherland.

Tries: Gaskin (25), Hook (30), McColm (45), Crowl (70)

Goals: Gaskin 3/4

Referee: Aaron Moore.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

News you can trust since 1754
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice