An age-old rivalry was on the most important stage at Wembley however after being the holders of the ladies’s Problem Cup for 4 years in a row, St Helens fell to a troublesome 42-6 defeat to Wigan.
It was a medical efficiency from the Warriors to get the job completed, tries from Megan Williams, Mary Coleman, Isabel Rowe, Eva Hunter, Grace Banks, Anna Davies, and Emily Veivers finishing the domination.
The victory clinches Wigan’s maiden Problem Cup triumph, which means Saints have to surrender the trophy after 1,463 days with it of their grasp.
The query going into the competition, with Wigan the workforce to beat within the Ladies’s Tremendous League thus far this season, was how may Saints cease their rivals?
Whereas Saints co-head coach Derek Hardman paid tribute to Wigan’s efficiency, he burdened his personal facet would stay undaunted by their rivals’ rise and hit out on the “disrespectful” pre-match angle contemplating his facet went into the competition because the holders.
“What we’ve achieved is massive and we’re not chasing anybody,” mentioned Hardman, who bemoaned his facet’s incapability to construct on their solitary strive early within the second half.
“In the event that they (Wigan) go on to realize what we have achieved, they’re going to deserve the accolades, however I feel a few of the questions on how we’ll cease Wigan are disrespectful.
“Let’s see what the rest of the year brings, but we’re certainly up for a fight.”
For Wigan although, it was a jubilant day, with their head coach Denis Betts praising his facet’s two years of onerous work that acquired them thus far.
“I’m very proud,” mentioned Betts.
“When we started out last year, everyone could see there were some really talented players in the group and just needed pointing in the right direction. To see them buy into it today is a coach’s dream.”
What’s subsequent?
Week 14 of the Tremendous League season begins on Friday June 13, with Hull KR internet hosting Catalans Dragons on Sky Sports activities Motion (8pm) and Hull FC going through Castleford Tigers on Sky Sports activities+ (8pm).
Sky Sports activities will once more present each recreation of Tremendous League dwell this season – together with two matches in every spherical completely dwell, with the remaining 4 matches every week proven on Sky Sports activities+ by way of the purple button
