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SWPixBetfred Women’s Challenge Cup semi-final
Wigan (24) 52
Tries: Derbyshire 2, Coleman 2, Foubister, R. Hunter, Rowe, Davies 2 Goals: Rowe 8
York (0) 0
Holders Wigan Warriors moved ominously into the Challenge Cup final with a demolition of York Valkyrie.
Half-back Isabel Rowe totted up 20 points as Denis Betts’ team, who had a clean sweep of the trophies last season, were in charge from beginning to end against a York side who struggled to match their pace and strength.
Ellise Derbyshire, Mary Coleman and Anna Davies each scored two tries while Jenna Foubister, Ruby Hunter and Rowe, who kicked eight of her nine conversion attempts, also crossed as the Warriors continued their high-scoring ways in this season’s competition.
They averaged 88 points in their three games in the competition before this meeting at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, and were ruthless against the only team to inflict a defeat on them in their all-conquering 2025 campaign.
York have been a major force in women’s rugby league for a decade but Wigan are currently in a class of their own, and they were 18 points up inside the first 18 minutes as winger Derbyshire scored tries either side of one from Coleman as the Valkyrie defence dissolved.
Warriors were fitter, stronger, faster and more physical and with Foubister dummying to pass and adding a fourth try, and Rowe metronomically adding the extras, the game was over as a contest with a 24-0 half-time scoreline.
York added to their own downfall with bouts of indiscipline, careless handling and slack defending, and Wigan took full advantage.
Hunter celebrated her 19th birthday with a try from another superb Foubister offload and Rowe dashed through a gaping hole in the defence and side-stepped past the cover to add four more to a tally which is now at 122 points in four games in this season’s competition.
Coleman strolled in for another and wing Davies added two more late in the game, with Rowe finally missing a conversion with the last kick.
Wigan will now face the winners of Sunday’s other semi-final between St Helens and Leeds Rhinos at Wembley on 30 May.
Wigan: Banks; Davies, Wilson, M. Jones, Derbyshire; Foubister, Rowe; Coleman, Wilton, Dainton, R. Hunter, C. Jones, Williams.
Interchanges: Marsh, Atherton, Gentles, Sams.
York: Partington; Moxon, Donovan, Renouf, Woods; Rihari, Williamson; O. Wood, Peach, Bell, Pakulis, Andrade, Marshall.
Interchanges: Bibby, A. Wood, Parker, Brennan
