2023 Women's Challenge Cup final
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| 2023 Women's Challenge Cup Final | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| Date | 12 August 2023, 12:00 | ||||||||||||
| Stadium | Wembley Stadium | ||||||||||||
| Location | London, United Kingdom | ||||||||||||
| Player of the Match | Jodie Cunningham (St Helens) | ||||||||||||
| God Save The King and Abide with Me | Lizzie Jones[1] | ||||||||||||
| Referee | James Vella | ||||||||||||
| Attendance | 8,338[2] | ||||||||||||
| Broadcast partners | |||||||||||||
| Broadcasters | |||||||||||||
| Commentators |
| ||||||||||||
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]
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
| Round | Opposition | Venue | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage |  London Broncos |
The Rock | 76–0 |
 Castleford Tigers |
Wheldon Road | 106–0 | |
 Warrington Wolves |
Totally Wicked Stadium | 36–4 | |
| Quarter-final | Warrington Wolves |
Totally Wicked Stadium | 36–0 |
| Semi-final |  York Valkyrie |
Halliwell Jones Stadium | 17–16 |
Leeds Rhinos
| Round | Opposition | Venue | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage |  Bradford Bulls |
Weetwood Sports Park | 72–0 |
 Oulton Raidettes |
Oulton forefitted game | ||
 Huddersfield Giants |
Laund Hill | 54–0 | |
| Quarter-final |  Leigh Leopards |
Headingley | 54–0 |
| Semi-final |  Wigan Warriors |
Headingley | 16–4 |
Source:[3]
