Latest news with #DenisBetts
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Wigan thrash Saints to win first Women's Challenge Cup
Betfred Women's Challenge Cup finalSt Helens (0) 6Try: Motterhead, Goal: GaskinWigan (18) 42Tries: Williams, Coleman, Veivers, Rowe, Hunter, Banks, Davies Goals: Rowe 7 Wigan Warriors ran in seven tries to thrash St Helens and win the Women's Challenge Cup for the first time, ending their rivals hold on the Cherry and Whites were ahead inside 10 minutes when Megan Williams touched down and they edged further in front through Mary Veivers charged through for Wigan's third try and an 18-0 half-time lead, and Isabel Rowe picked up where they left off after the break by scoring minutes into the second got on the board through Katie Mottershead but Eva Hunter, Grace Banks and Anna Davies ensured Wigan would earn a derby win on the biggest stage of a Wembley is the first time that Wigan have won the competition since its inception in 2012 and ends St Helens' run of four straight wins in the tournament in 2021, 2022, 2023 and victory also means that boss Denis Betts, who won seven Challenge Cups with Wigan as a player, claimed his first piece of silverware as a coach. More to follow. St Helens: Salihi; Hook, McColm, Hardcastle, McGifford; Harris, Gaskin; Stott, Casey, Crowl, Hoye, Rudge, Whitfield, Mottershead, Sutherland, Banks; Davies, Wilson, Jones, Derbyshire; Foubister, Rowe; Coleman, Wilton, Speakman, Hunter, Power, Marsh, Molyneux, Thompson, Veivers.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Not trying to be men's team' - Betts on Wigan rise
Betfred Women's Challenge Cup final - St Helens v Wigan WarriorsVenue: Wembley Stadium Date: Saturday, 7 June Kick-off: 11:45 BST Coverage: Live on BBC Two from 11:15 BST; commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3; live text on BBC Sport website & app Wigan Warriors turned some heads when they reached the Women's Challenge Cup final earlier this say they thrashed Leeds Rhinos is an Betts' side demolished the two-time winners 44-14 and, short of a late Leeds rally, Wigan never looked in much danger over the course of the 80 signalled the rise of another side to the very top of the women's game in England, with St Helens and York dominating the past few years along with what is the secret to Wigan's recent ascent? And where did that performance against Leeds come from?Ahead of their derby meeting with reigning champions St Helens in this weekend's Women's Challenge Cup final, BBC Sport has taken a look at one of the most impressive upturns of late. Prior to the semi-final in May, Leeds had won their past 12 meetings with despite that record, Warriors, who lead the Super League table after three wins from three, went into the tie in fine legend Betts said there is no secret to why his side have stormed their way into 2025 but the key was forging their own path rather than mimicking the efforts of their quadruple-winning men's team."What we've tried to do as a team is that we're not trying to look like a men's team," former Wigan and Great Britain second row Betts, 55, told BBC Sport."We're not trying to look like anything other than who we are as a group of young, inspirational women who want to play rugby, pass the ball and want it to be exciting and enjoy it."I think you can see that in the way we play." As a player, Betts won seven men's Challenge Cups among a raft of trophies with an all-conquering Wigan side during nine years with the club from 1986 to coaching spells at a number of clubs including Widnes, he returned to Wigan as women's head coach in 2024 and swiftly set about turning around their last season's Challenge Cup, they were beaten at the semi-final stage by eventual finalists Leeds Rhinos, and Betts has seen the progression in his side ever loss shaped his side and despite the result, he believes that where the team is now was borne out of their experiences in 2024."It took a few games and months to get going but we saw a little bit of it in the semi-final [in 2024] when we were beaten by Leeds at St Helens," Betts added."We saw glimpses of it and throughout this season we've slowly got better and it culminated in a really strong win at York against Leeds [in 2025's semi-final]."We've given ourselves a chance in the top four but we've never really taken that and put a performance in that would give us a real foothold in that elite group, so to speak."So we went away and dusted ourselves down. The squad has changed a little bit but not massively, we've still got the core element of what that group is and they've worked really hard." Despite their recent progression, Betts is not putting pressure on his side to succeed at Wembley, knowing that it is an achievement in itself to get its formation in 2012, Wigan have never reached the Women's Challenge Cup final but know they have their work cut out if they are to beat holders Saints, who have won the competition the past four years running."Wembley is a fantastic occasion - but it's not the be-all and end-all," Betts continued."This is a group that is getting better and this is just another step along the way. It's not the end of anything and it's not the start."This is just a thing that is in that journey and that's what we need - and they need to want that and add meaning to what we are trying to do more of."
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wigan rout reigning champions York in season opener
Betfred Women's Super LeagueWigan (28) 40Tries: Jones, Hunter, T Power, Banks 2, Veivers, S Power Goals: Rowe 6York (0) 6Tries: Andrade Goals: Williamson Wigan Warriors served further notice there could be a new name at the top of Womens' Super League this season with an emphatic statement win against back-to-back champions York days after booking a place in the Womens' Challenge Cup final with a 44-14 semi-final win over Leeds Rhinos, Denis Betts' side left the reigning champions on the canvas at the Brick Community an explosive first half, the 2023 and 2024 champions Valkyrie conceded five tries as Wigan dominated possession and made best use of was 13 minutes before Molly Jones went over after a break and assist from Ellise Derbyshire, but Wigan had another through Eva Hunter four minutes later, and a third after Tiana Power's dazzling run from the right flank to it was an opening period that left York stunned, a try from Grace Banks, with a strong finish through two tackles, and an Emily Veivers score after she reacted quickest to a loose ball a minute from the break left them flattened. Izzy Rowe's boot proved reliable with four goals for the only respite to the relentless waves of Wigan pressure came during a long injury break as medics attended to York centre Tamzin Renouf, who was stretchered off after 35 there was later positive news about Renouf the half-time break did nothing to blunt the Warriors hunger, and Mia Atherton posted an enormous hit on Izzy Brennan straight from the Power matched her sister's first-half try on 51 minutes and Banks' claimed a second, both converted, to put Wigan 40-0 to the good in the closing stages.A consolation try from Savannah Andrade three minutes before the buzzer with Ellie Williamson adding two points allowed the visitors some measure of it could not mask the fact that the tectonic plates have clearly shifted in the close season as Wigan look to add a second Women's Super League title following a first and only win in 2018. Wigan: Banks; T Power T, Wilson, M Jones, Derbyshire; Foubister, Rowe; Coleman, Wilton, Gregory-Haselden, Hunter, S Power, Marsh, C Jones, Veivers, Dagger; Partington, Renouf, Rampton, Kershaw; Rihari, Williamson; Wood, Peach, Hornby, Andrade, Parker, Marshall, Stimpson, Moxon, Freddie Lincoln.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
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. Recommended reading: York to host Challenge Cup semi-final in historic first 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.
BBC News
10-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wigan demolish Leeds to reach first-ever Cup final
Betfred Women's Challenge Cup semi-finalLeeds (0) 14Tries: Greening, Bryer, Howard Goal: BennettWigan (30) 44Tries: Davies 2, Wilson, Banks 2, Williams, Vievers, Jones, Rowe Goals: Foubister 4 Wigan Warriors reached the Women's Challenge Cup for the first time after demolishing two-time winners Leeds Rhinos in Davies went in for Wigan twice inside the opening 10 minutes, while Georgia Wilson, Grace Banks, Megan Williams and Emily Vievers added to the tally by the went from bad to worse after that for Leeds as they lost Bella Sykes to a failed head injury assessment (HIA) and Ruby Walker to an ankle Jones and Banks picked up where Wigan left off, before Jenna Greening and Tally Bryer got Leeds Izzy Rowe's score - shortly before Mel Howard's run-in on the hooter - ensured Denis Betts' side reached to follow. Leeds: Stead; Bryer, Greening, Boyd, Whitbread; Howard, Walker; Sykes, Bennett, Northrop, Lacey, Murray, Bruce, Donnelly, Glynn, Banks; Davies, Wilson, Jones, Derbyshire; Foubister, Rowe; Coleman, Wilton, Speakman, Hunter, Power, Marsh, Thompson, Casey, Tara Jones.
