2023 Women's Challenge Cup
{{Short description|Women's rugby league competition}}
{{Infobox Rugby football league challenge cup
|title = 2023 Women's Challenge Cup
|logo =
|alt = <|--Alt text for image-->
|caption =
|pixels =
|duration = Group stage plus three knockout rounds
|no_of_teams = 16
|highest_attendance =
|lowest_attendance =
|avg_attendance =
|TV = BBC Sport
|biggest_home_win = York Valkyrie 122–0 Hull KR
{{small|(7 May 2023)}}
|biggest_away_win = Castleford Tigers 0–106 St Helens
{{small|(7 May 2023)}}
|season = 2023
|season_champs =
|season_champ_name = Winners
|second_place =
|MVP =
|MVP_link = Player of the Match
|top_scorer =
|top_try_scorer =
|prevseason_link = 2022 Women's Challenge Cup
|prevseason_year = 2022
|nextseason_link = 2024 Women's Challenge Cup
|nextseason_year = 2024
}}
The 2023 Women's Challenge Cup (known for sponsorship reasons as the 2023 Betfred Women's Challenge Cup) was the 11th staging of the Rugby Football League's cup competition for women's rugby league clubs.
Format
The competition used the same format as in 2022 with four groups of four competing in a single round robin with group winners and runners-up advancing to the knockout rounds. The group stage draw took place on 12 January.{{cite news |title=Challenge Cup 2023: Draw details for women's and men's competitions as St Helens and Wigan Warriors defend titles |url=https://www.skysports.com/amp/rugby-league/news/12206/12785155/challenge-cup-2023-draw-details-for-womens-and-mens-competitions-as-st-helens-and-wigan-warriors-defend-titles |work=Sky Sports |date=12 January 2023}}
class="wikitable"
|+ Groups |
width=25%| Group 1
!width=25%| Group 2 !width=25%| Group 3 !width=25%| Group 4 |
---|
*Featherstone Rovers
| | | |
Group stage
The fixture list for the group stage was published on 16 February 2023.{{cite web |title=Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup: Our League to stream Cardiff Demons versus Wigan Warriors |url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/61417/betfred-womens-challenge-cup-our-league-to-stream-cardiff-demons-versus-wigan-warriors- |publisher=RFL |access-date=16 February 2023 |date=16 February 2023}}
border=1 style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%; text-align:center"; cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=100%
|+ Challenge Cup group fixtures week 1 |
bgcolor="#c1d8ff"
!rowspan=2 width=7%|Group !rowspan=2 width=19%|Home !rowspan=2 width=6%|Score !rowspan=2 width=19%|Away !colspan=3|Match Information |
bgcolor="#cccccc"
!width=17%|Date and Time !width=22%|Venue !width=10%|Referee |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| rowspan=2 |1 | {{0|0}}8–22 | 23 April, 12:00 | J. Pemberton |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| 20–38 | 23 April, 14:00 | Cardiff University Sports Fields | R. Apsee |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| rowspan=2 |2 | 72–0{{0|0}} | 23 April, 13:00 | Weetwood Sports Park | F. Lincoln |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| {{0|0}}4–54 | 23 April, 14:00 | Oulton Sports Pavilion | M. Mckelvey |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| rowspan=2 |3 | {{0|0}}0–76 | 22 April, 14:00 | The Rock, Roehampton | H. Winnard |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| {{0|0}}0–72 | 23 April, 14:00 | A. Rhodes |
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| rowspan=2 |4 | {{0|0}}4–44 | 23 April, 14:00 | Craven Park, Barrow-in-Furness | J. Hughes |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| 16–38 | 23 April; 14:00 | D. Frederick |
bgcolor=#c1d8ff
! colspan=7 | Source:{{cite news |title=Women's Challenge Cup: Round-up |work=Rugby Leaguer & League Express |pages=24–25 |issue=3376 |date=24 April 2023}} |
border=1 style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%; text-align:center"; cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=100%
|+ Challenge Cup group fixtures week 2 |
bgcolor="#c1d8ff"
!rowspan=2 width=7%|Group !rowspan=2 width=19%|Home !rowspan=2 width=6%|Score !rowspan=2 width=19%|Away !colspan=3|Match Information |
bgcolor="#cccccc"
!width=17%|Date and Time !width=22%|Venue !width=10%|Referee |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| rowspan=2 |1 | Featherstone Rovers | 10–12 | Wigan Warriors | 7 May; 12:00 | C. Hughes |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| Salford Red Devils | {{0|0}}8–12 | Cardiff Demons | 7 May; 13:00 | S. Houghton |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| rowspan=2 |2 | Bradford Bulls | 12–32 | Huddersfield Giants | 7 May; 14:00 | M. Clayton |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| Oulton Raidettes | {{0|000}}0–48{{efn|Match forfeited by Oulton as they were unable to raise a team.{{cite news |title=Challenge Cup tie awarded to Leeds Rhinos after opponents fail to raise a team |url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/challenge-cup-tie-awarded-to-leeds-rhinos-after-opponents-fail-to-raise-a-team-4129875 |access-date=5 May 2023 |work=Yorkshire Evening Post |date=4 May 2023 |language=en}} Under the RFL operational rules the match is recorded as a 48–0 win to the non-forfeiting team.}} | Leeds Rhinos | colspan=3 {{n/a}} |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| rowspan=2 |3 | Castleford Tigers | {{0|00}}0–106 | St Helens | 7 May; 14:00 | D. Geddes |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| Warrington Wolves | 64–10 | London Broncos | 7 May; 14:00 | Victoria Park | O. Ireland |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| rowspan=2 |4 | York Valkyrie | 122–0{{0|00}} | Hull Kingston Rovers | 7 May; 12:00 | B. Worsley |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| Leigh Leopards | 30–22 | Barrow Raiders | 7 May; 14:00 | Twist Lane | L. Flavell |
bgcolor=#c1d8ff |
border=1 style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%; text-align:center"; cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=100%
|+ Challenge Cup group fixtures week 3 |
bgcolor="#c1d8ff"
!rowspan=2 width=7%|Group !rowspan=2 width=19%|Home !rowspan=2 width=6%|Score !rowspan=2 width=19%|Away !colspan=3|Match Information |
bgcolor="#cccccc"
!width=17%|Date and Time !width=22%|Venue !width=10%|Referee |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| rowspan=2 |1 | Cardiff Demons | 36–18 | Featherstone Rovers | 21 May; 14:00 | Cardiff University Sports Fields | R. Apsee |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| Wigan Warriors | 60–0{{0|0}} | Salford Red Devils | 21 May; 14:00 | Robin Park | S. Houghton |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| rowspan=2 |2 | Huddersfield Giants | {{0|0}}0–54 | Leeds Rhinos | 21 May; 14:00 | Laund Hill | J. Covell-Wood |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| Bradford Bulls | 38–6{{0|0}} | Oulton Raidettes | 21 May; 17:15 | A. Rhodes |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| rowspan=2 |3 | London Broncos | 40–4{{0|0}} | Castleford Tigers | 21 May; 14:00 | The Rock, Roehampton | |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| St Helens | 38–4{{0|0}} | Warrington Wolves | 21 May; 14:00 | L. Flavell |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| rowspan=2 |4 | Hull Kingston Rovers | 11–20 | 21 May; 14:00 | |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| Leigh Leopards | {{0|0}}0–54 | York Valkyrie | 21 May; 14:00 | Twist Lane | |
bgcolor=#c1d8ff
! colspan=7 | Source:{{cite web|url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/61750/cardiff-demons-join-big-guns-in-cup-quarter-final-draw |title=Cardiff Demons join big guns in Cup Quarter-Final draw |publisher=RFL |date=22 May 2023 |access-date=11 January 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/hull-kr-women-vs-barrow/59195 |title=Hull KR Women 11 – 20 Barrow |website=Sky Sports |access-date=11 January 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/bradford-vs-oulton-raidettes/59196 |title=Bradford 28 – 6 Oulton Raidettes |website=Sky Sports |access-date=11 January 2023}} |
=Standings=
{{#invoke:Sports table|main
|winpoints=2
|start_date=23 April 2023
|for_against_style=points
|style=WDL
|title=Group 1
|team1=WIG|team2=CAR|team3=FEV|team4=SAL
|update=complete
|source=
|win_CAR=2|draw_CAR=0|loss_CAR=1|gf_CAR=68|ga_CAR=64
|win_FEV=1|draw_FEV=0|loss_FEV=2|gf_FEV=50|ga_FEV=56
|win_SAL=0|draw_SAL=0|loss_SAL=3|gf_SAL=16|ga_SAL=94
|win_WIG=3|draw_WIG=0|loss_WIG=0|gf_WIG=110|ga_WIG=30
|name_CAR={{leagueicon|cardiff demons|16}} Cardiff Demons
|name_FEV={{leagueicon|featherstone|16}} Featherstone Rovers
|name_SAL={{leagueicon|salford city|16}} Salford Red Devils
|name_WIG={{leagueicon|wigan|16}} Wigan Warriors
|result1=KO
|result2=KO
|res_col_header=Q
|col_KO=green1 |text_KO=Advance to knock-out stages
}}
{{#invoke:Sports table|main
|winpoints=2
|start_date=23 April 2023
|for_against_style=points
|style=WDL
|title=Group 2
|team1=LEE|team2=HUD|team3=BRA|team4=OUL
|update=complete
|source=
|win_BRA=1|draw_BRA=0|loss_BRA=2|gf_BRA=50|ga_BRA=110
|win_HUD=2|draw_HUD=0|loss_HUD=1|gf_HUD=86|ga_HUD=70
|win_LEE=3|draw_LEE=0|loss_LEE=0|gf_LEE=174|ga_LEE=0
|win_OUL=0|draw_OUL=0|loss_OUL=3|gf_OUL=10|ga_OUL=140
|name_BRA={{leagueicon|bradford|16}} Bradford Bulls
|name_HUD={{leagueicon|huddersfield|16}} Huddersfield Giants
|name_LEE={{leagueicon|leeds|16}} Leeds Rhinos
|name_OUL={{league icon|Oulton|16}} Oulton Raidettes
|result1=KO
|result2=KO
|res_col_header=Q
|col_KO=green1 |text_KO=Advance to knock-out stages
}}
{{#invoke:Sports table|main
|winpoints=2
|start_date=22 April 2023
|for_against_style=points
|style=WDL
|title=Group 3
|team1=STH|team2=WAR|team3=LON|team4=CAS
|update=complete
|source=
|win_CAS=0|draw_CAS=0|loss_CAS=3|gf_CAS=4|ga_CAS=218
|win_LON=1|draw_LON=0|loss_LON=2|gf_LON=50|ga_LON=144
|win_STH=3|draw_STH=0|loss_STH=0|gf_STH=220|ga_STH=4
|win_WAR=2|draw_WAR=0|loss_WAR=1|gf_WAR=140|ga_WAR=48
|name_CAS={{leagueicon|castleford|16}} Castleford Tigers
|name_LON={{leagueicon|london broncos|16}} London Broncos
|name_STH={{leagueicon|st helens|16}} St Helens
|name_WAR={{leagueicon|warrington|16}} Warrington Wolves
|result1=KO
|result2=KO
|res_col_header=Q
|col_KO=green1 |text_KO=Advance to knock-out stages
}}
{{#invoke:Sports table|main
|winpoints=2
|start_date=23 April 2023
|for_against_style=points
|style=WDL
|title=Group 4
|team1=YOR|team2=LEI|team3=BAR|team4=HKR
|update=complete
|source=
|win_BAR=1|draw_BAR=0|loss_BAR=2|gf_BAR=46|ga_BAR=85
|win_HKR=0|draw_HKR=0|loss_HKR=3|gf_HKR=27|ga_HKR=180
|win_LEI=2|draw_LEI=0|loss_LEI=1|gf_LEI=68|ga_LEI=96
|win_YOR=3|draw_YOR=0|loss_YOR=0|gf_YOR=224|ga_YOR=4
|name_BAR={{leagueicon|barrow|16}} Barrow Raiders
|name_HKR={{leagueicon|hull kr|16}} Hull Kingston Rovers
|name_LEI={{leagueicon|leigh|16}} Leigh Leopards
|name_YOR={{leagueicon|york rlfc|16}} York Valkyrie
|result1=KO
|result2=KO
|res_col_header=Q
|col_KO=green1 |text_KO=Advance to knock-out stages
}}
Quarter-finals
The draw for the quarter-finals was made live on BBC Radio Five, on 26 May.{{cite web|url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/61743/bbc-radio-5-live-to-broadcast-betfred-womens-challenge-cup-quarter-final-draw |title=BBC Radio 5 Live to broadcast Betfred Women's Challenge Cup Quarter Final draw |publisher=RFL |date=19 May 2023 |access-date=30 November 2023}} Ties took place over the weekend of 17–18 June.
border=1 style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%; text-align:center"; cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=100%
|+ Challenge Cup quarter-final fixtures |
bgcolor="#c1d8ff"
!rowspan=2 width=19%|Home !rowspan=2 width=6%|Score !rowspan=2 width=19%|Away !colspan=4|Match Information |
bgcolor="#cccccc"
!width=17%|Date and Time !width=22%|Venue !width=10%|Referee !width=7%|Attendance |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| {{leagueicon|Leeds|12}} Leeds Rhinos | 54–0{{0|0}} | {{leagueicon|Leigh|12}} Leigh Leopards | 17 June, 13:00 | | |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| {{leagueicon|Wigan|12}} Wigan Warriors | 46–10 | {{leagueicon|Huddersfield|12}} Huddersfield Giants | 18 June, 11:30 | Robin Park Arena | | |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| {{leagueicon|st Helens|12}} St Helens | 36–0{{0|0}} | {{leagueicon|Warrington|12}} Warrington Wolves | 18 June, 12:30 | | |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| {{leagueicon|York RLFC|12}} York Valkyrie | 54–0{{0|0}} | {{leagueicon|Cardiff demons|12}} Cardiff Demons | 18 June, 14:00 | | |
bgcolor=#c1d8ff |
Semi-finals
Ties took place over the weekend of 22–23 July, each being part of a double header with one of the men's semi-finals; St Helens v York was played with the Leigh v St Helens men's game and Wigan v Leeds was played with the Hull KR v Wigan men's game. Both of the women's matches were broadcast live on the BBC Sport website.{{cite web |title=Venues and broadcast details confirmed for Betfred Challenge Cup Semi-Finals |url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/61851/venues-and-broadcast-details-confirmed-for-betfred-challenge-cup-semi-finals |website=www.rugby-league.com |publisher=RFL |access-date=19 June 2023 |date=19 June 2023}}
border=1 style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%; text-align:center"; cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=100%
|+ Challenge Cup semi-final fixtures |
bgcolor="#c1d8ff"
!rowspan=2 width=19%|Team A !rowspan=2 width=6%|Score !rowspan=2 width=19%|Team B !colspan=4|Match Information |
bgcolor="#cccccc"
!width=17%|Date and Time !width=22%|Venue !width=10%|Referee !width=7%|Attendance |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| {{Leagueicon|st Helens|12}} St Helens | 17–16 | {{Leagueicon|York rlfc|13}} York Valkyrie | 22 July, 11:45 | A. Belafonte | 12,113{{efn|attendance combined for both the women's and the men's games.}} |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| {{Leagueicon|Wigan|12}} Wigan Warriors | {{0|0}}4–16 | {{Leagueicon|Leeds|12}} Leeds Rhinos | 23 July, 14:15 | E. Burrow | 10,926{{efn|attendance combined for both the women's and the men's games.}} |
bgcolor=#c1d8ff |
Final
{{main|2023 Women's Challenge Cup final}}
On 12 August 2022, the RFL announced that the Women's Challenge Cup Final would make its Wembley debut, and be played as a double header with the men's final. The final was played on 12 August 2023.{{Cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/62518840 | title=Challenge Cup final to return to Wembley in 2023 | work=BBC Sport |date=12 August 2022}}
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|+ Challenge Cup Final |
bgcolor="#c1d8ff"
!rowspan=2 width=19%|Team 1 !rowspan=2 width=6%|Score !rowspan=2 width=19%|Team 2 !colspan=4|Match Information |
bgcolor="#cccccc"
!width=17%|Date and Time !width=22%|Venue !width=10%|Referee !width=7%|Attendance |
bgcolor=#f5faff
| {{Leagueicon|Leeds|12}} Leeds Rhinos | 8–22 | {{Leagueicon|st Helens|12}} St Helens | 12 August 2023, 12:00 | J. Vella | |
bgcolor=#c1d8ff |
Broadcast matches
class="wikitable" style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%; text-align:center;"
! Round ! Match ! Date ! Broadcast method |
Final
| Leeds Rhinos v St Helens | 12 August 2023 | Broadcast live on BBC Two |
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Women's Challenge Cup}}
{{2023 in rugby league}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Challenge Cup}}
Category:2023 in English rugby league