Challenge Cup semi-finals review

Yorkshire Evening Post

YEP rugby league writer Peter Smith reflects on Leeds Rhinos' win over Wigan Warriros which secured a place in next month's Betfred Women's Challenge Cup final at Wembley.

Transcript

00:00 Congratulations to Leeds Rhinos women who have made history by qualifying for the first

00:06 Women's Challenge Cup Final to be staged at Wembley. That will be played on August 12th

00:11 as the first of a triple header. They'll play St Helens, the reigning cup holders at Wembley.

00:18 Saints beat Leeds in last year's final at Elland Road. I think this year will be equally

00:24 exciting and that was a good final. Leeds were very much the underdogs but threatened

00:29 to pull off an upset for quite a lot of the game. This year being played at Wembley will

00:34 certainly bring a new dimension to it. Who can handle the occasion and the nerves. Leeds

00:40 found it hard today against Wigan Warriors in the semi-final. It was 4-4 at half time

00:46 and they didn't get the noses in front in the second half until the hour mark. They

00:50 finished the stronger and they dominated territory in the second period but struggled to create

00:56 chances. Got on top of Wigan in the end but it was a magnificent defensive effort by Wigan.

01:00 Leeds will certainly need it to improve but I think a hard game is what they needed going

01:05 into the Cup Final. It will be a fantastic occasion for the women's game. Congratulations

01:10 also to Battling Bulldogs who are through to Wembley for the first time in their history

01:15 in the 1895 Cup Final. They'll play Halifax and of course the Men's Challenge Cup Final

01:20 will be Hull KR who have beaten Wigan here in Golden Point Extra Time against Lee Leopards

01:29 in a final I don't think many people would have predicted at the start of the season.

01:32 Both Wigan and St Helens losing in the Challenge Cup Semi-Finals. It's been a fantastic semi-final

01:38 weekend. Four absolutely cracking Challenge Cup ties and two very tense 1895 Cup Semi-Finals

01:45 as well. Wembley should be a terrific occasion. Six different teams in the final. It should

01:50 be a full house or close to it with two teams in the Men's Final who have not been there

01:55 for a while and certainly not won it for a long time. I think the weekend has breathed

02:02 new life into the Challenge Cup.

02:03 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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