Challenge Cup fever hits York with new record attendance
CHALLENGE Cup fever hit York this afternoon, with a rugby league record crowd watching on as Wigan Warriors women and Hull KR secured their places at Wembley.
Some 8,402 supporters packed into the LNER Community Stadium, breaking the previous record of the 5,369 that tuned in as KR knocked York Knights out of the competition back in February.
There was an incredible atmosphere, with many Robins fans making the short trip from East Yorkshire in what was a fantastic showcase for the first Challenge Cup semi-finals to be held in the city.
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The Women's Challenge Cup kicked off the day of action, with Wigan securing their place at Wembley for the first time with a 44-14 win against Leeds Rhinos.
Having shown steady improvement under Denis Betts, they were good value for their nine-try rout of a rebuilding Rhinos side.
It was one way traffic in the first half as the Warriors took in a commanding 30-0 lead at half time, Anna Davies scoring twice inside the opening 10 minutes before Georgia Wilson, Grace Banks, Megan Williams and Emily Veivers got in on the act.
And things went from bad to worse for Leeds as they lost Bella Sykes to a failed HIA and Ruby Walker to an ankle injury.
Wigan made it to Wembley for the first time with a dominant performance against Leeds Rhinos. (Image: PA Wire)
Wigan picked up where they left off in the second half, with Molly Jones and Banks both scoring, before Jenna Greening and Tally Bryer brought Leeds onto the board.
However, Izzy Rowe's try made sure of victory for the Warriors, despite Mel Howard adding another consolation for the Rhinos late on.
Later that afternoon, a stellar second half from Hull KR saw them to a 36-12 victory against Catalans Dragons.
KR started like a train, with James Batchelor scoring twice - the latter given after a lengthy video review - to put them on top early on.
Reimis Smith and Luke Keary struck in the space of five minutes to put Catalans in front but Mikey Lewis struck on his return to York to put the Robins 16-12 in front at the break after a 55-minute first-half.
Jack Broadbent scored a second-half double as Hull KR eased past Catalans Dragons. (Image: PA Wire) The Dragons though could not live with their opponents' intensity after the break, Lewis scoring a penalty before a Jack Broadbent double and Joe Burgess try saw KR ease into the final.
York Valkyrie will bid to book their place in the Women's Challenge Cup final when they take on St Helens at the Totally Wicked Stadium tomorrow, with Warrington Wolves and Leigh Leopards facing off later that afternoon.
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