Not many score a try like that at Wembley

BBC News

6 hours ago

Wigan Warriors were completely dominant in every game they played on the way to Women's Challenge Cup glory at Wembley Stadium.The Cherry and Whites brushed aside all those that stood in their way, including Leeds Rhinos in the semi-final, and amassed an astonishing 310 points across their five matches while conceding just 20.But even with their excellent form, few would have predicted Wigan would run out as quite such comfortable winners in the final on Saturday against a St Helens side that had a stranglehold on the competition over the past four years.Warriors player of the match Grace Banks said the 42-6 scoreline did not fully reflect how tough the game actually was.She told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I didn't think we would turn them over like we did."When we were playing, it was really difficult. They put up such a tough game. I don't think the score justifies Saints' performance. I think they did give us quite a good game."
'Little Grace would be proud'
During a typical week, Banks - like many of her team-mates - juggles a day job with training in the evening.But at the weekend, the 19-year-old engineering apprentice carved through the St Helens defence and strode towards the line with pace and power to extend Wigan's already commanding lead in the final.It was a try that epitomised an excellent display by Banks and the Warriors, who achieved the highest margin of victory in a women's Challenge Cup final since 2016."I was enjoying every minute of that, I thought I better take all of this in," said Banks, who was brought up playing rugby league against boys."Not a lot of people get to score a try like that at Wembley. I didn't think when I first started with the lads, I was going to end up playing at Wembley to be honest."But little Grace would definitely be proud."
'An experienced legend' - Betts takes Warriors to new level
Victory over St Helens to lift the trophy further confirmed the young Warriors side's emergence as one of the best in 2025 and the squad has been full of praise for each other and coach Denis Betts."I've been nervous this whole journey but when you're playing with women as incredible as they are, they help you, they calm you," said scrum-half Isabel Rowe, who converted all seven tries in the final."Denis is amazing, he's a legend and everybody respects him at the club. He did amazing things when he played and he's doing amazing things now coaching."Warriors centre Georgia Wilson said it was "unreal" to get a taste of success and that all the players were "absolutely buzzing"."We've been working towards it for the past few years and finally we've won a trophy," she told BBC Sport."We knew St Helens had a lot of experience, they've been here a few times now. We just knew that we had to compose (ourselves), complete every set, keep calm and stay patient."
Banks said Betts' experience had helped the team stay calm under pressure and he told them: "Just imagine it's a field. Strip back the stadium and you're just on a field with your mates."It certainly did the trick as Betts, who won seven Challenge Cups with Wigan as a player, sealed his first as a coach."I wasn't expecting it at all," Banks said in the immediate aftermath of winning the final. "I'm obviously over the moon. It's just a big shock."Perhaps, though, the level the Warriors have reached so far this season, also winning their opening three Super League games with relative ease, would suggest it maybe shouldn't be such a shock after all.