St.Helens Women will defend their Betfred Challenge Cup title at Wembley on Saturday 8th June, after beating York Valkyrie in the Semi-Final!
Saints took an early lead nine minutes in. Tara Jones was caught high in front of the sticks, Saints opted for two and Faye Gaskin converted, 2-0 Saints led.
Saints increased their lead half an hour in. The ball was shifted from right to left, Gaskin threw a great cut-out pass to Luci McColm who found Leah Burke to score in the corner. Gaskin was unable to convert, 6-0 Saints led after a tight first 40 minutes.
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The Red V added to their lead three minutes into the second half. Jodie Cunningham fed Darcy Stott the ball she exploded through a gap before scoring underneath the sticks. Gaskin converted, 12-0.
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York were awarded a penalty in the 47th minute and opted to go for two points, Rhiannion Marshall converting, 12-2.
A third Saints try came in the 55th minute. Saints moved the ball left, Emily Rudge collected a pass from Cunningham and broke a tackle before forcing her way over from close range. Gaskin added the extras, 18-2.
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Saints soon had another. The Red V went right, Cunningham did well to collect Zoe Harris pass and move it on to Erin Stott who set Phoebe Hook away down the wing, she cut back inside before finishing under pressure to the right of the sticks. Gaskin added two more points, 24-2.
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Hook grabbed her second try with four minutes to go. Saints moved it right, a mistimed pass bounced into Stott’s hands, she passed to Hook who raced away down the right wing to score in the corner. Gaskin was unable to convert, 28-2.
There was still time for one more Saints try. Georgia Sutherland picked the ball up ten metres out from the York line and wasn’t to be stopped, as she bumped off a few tackles before carrying a York defender over the try-line with her. Gaskin was unable to convert, but it wasn’t to matter, as Saints booked their spot at Wembley with a dominant 32-2 victory over York Valkyrie.
https://x.com/saints1890women/status/1791799486110482628
Match Summary
Saints Team: Beri Salihi, Phoebe Hook, Erin Stott, Luci McColm, Leah Burke, Zoe Harris, Faye Gaskin, Vicky Whitfield, Tara Jones, Chantelle Crowl, Paige Travis, Emily Rudge, Jodie Cunningham.
Interchanges: Naomi Williams, Darcy Stott, Katie Mottershead, Georgia Sutherland.
18th Player: Pip Birchall.
Tries: Leah Burke (30), Darcy Stott (43), Emily Rudge (55), Phoebe Hook (63, 76), Georgia Sutherland (78)
Conversions: Faye Gaskin (3 from 6)
Penalties: Faye Gaskin (1 from 1)
York Valkyrie Team: Georgie Hetherington, Emma Kershaw, Carrie Roberts, Tamzin Renouf, Eboni Partington, Sade Rihari, Lucy Eastwood, Olivia Wood, Remi Wilton, Alex Stimpson, Lacey Owen, Savannah Andrade, Jasmine Bell.
Interchanges: Rhiannion Marshall, Daisy Sanderson, Kelsey Gentles, Jess Sharp.
18th Player: Ellie Hendry.
Tries:
Conversions:
Penalties: Rhiannion Marshall (1 from 1)
HT: 6-0
FT: 32-2
