Image source, SWPix
Image caption, Wigan cruised into a second consecutive Challenge Cup final with nine tries in a dominant win over York
Betfred 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
Defending champions Wigan Warriors delivered a commanding performance to overwhelm York Valkyrie 52-0 and book their place in the Women’s Challenge Cup final.
Half-back Isabel Rowe contributed 20 points as Denis Betts’ side, winners of all available trophies last season, controlled the match from start to finish. York struggled to match Wigan’s pace and physicality throughout the contest.
Ellise Derbyshire, Mary Coleman, and Anna Davies each crossed for two tries, while Jenna Foubister, Ruby Hunter, and Rowe herself also touched down. Rowe converted eight of her nine attempts, continuing Wigan’s prolific scoring form in this season’s competition.
The Warriors had averaged 88 points across their three previous Cup matches before this semi-final at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. They showed no mercy against the only team that had beaten them during their dominant 2025 campaign.
York have been a force in women’s rugby league for a decade, but Wigan currently stand in a class of their own. The Warriors raced to an 18-point lead within the first 18 minutes as winger Derbyshire scored twice, either side of a try from Coleman, as York’s defence crumbled.
Wigan were superior in fitness, strength, speed, and physicality. Foubister added a fourth try with a dummy and dart, and Rowe’s precise conversions made it 24-0 at halftime, effectively ending the contest.
York compounded their problems with indiscipline, careless handling, and loose defending, and Wigan took full advantage. Hunter celebrated her 19th birthday with a try from another excellent Foubister offload, and Rowe sliced through a gaping hole in the defence before sidestepping the cover to add more points. Wigan’s tally now stands at 122 points in four Cup matches this season.
Coleman strolled in for another try, and wing Davies added two late scores. Rowe missed her final conversion attempt of the day.
Wigan will 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
